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Decade after conjoined twins separated, 1 boy dances to music and the other struggles to walk

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Formerly conjoined twins Clarence, left, and Carl Aguirre, 12, embrace while relaxing with their mother Arlene at the family\'s home in Scarsdale, N.Y., Thursday, July 31, 2014. On Monday, Aug. 4, the family will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the surgery that separated the twins at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, where the surgery was performed. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

SCARSDALE, N.Y. – Conjoined twins from the Philippines who were separated 10 years ago in a New York City hospital now lead disparate lives.

Clarence Aguirre uses an iPad, dances to Michael Jackson tunes and high-fives visitors. His brother, Carl, has significant, possibly permanent, problems walking and talking.

Their mother says the fact that both 12-year-olds are alive is reason enough to celebrate.

When they were born joined at the head, she remembers doctors in the Philippines telling her she would have to choose which one would live and which would die.

But doctors at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx were able to save both boys in a 2004 operation. They’ve since performed four similar separations around the world.

The anniversary is being celebrated Monday at Montefiore.

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