Texas Children’s is spotlighted in an hour-long documentary about Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata, who were born conjoined on April 11, 2014 at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. An elite surgical team at Texas Children’s Hospital successfully separated the twins 10 months later. Both girls are doing well and are with their family in Little Field, which is just outside of Lubbock.
Produced by Lincoln Square Productions, an ABC News Production Company, the documentary will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16 on the Discovery Life Channel. Called “Conjoined Twins: Miracle Separation,” the documentary follows the twins’ extensive journey from birth through separation. It also includes the first interview with the Mata family since they made it home.
“We are truly honored to be able to share the Mata family’s remarkable story,” said Jane Latman, general manager of Discovery Life Channel. “Our belief is that their story will offer hope and inspiration to other families going through difficult situations.”
A large portion of the documentary focuses on the 26-hour separation surgery the girls went through at just 10 months old. Cameras inside the operating room captured the complex choreography between the surgeons, anesthesiologist and surgical nurses who worked tirelessly to separate the conjoined twins, who were fused from the chest to the pelvis.
“This surgery was not without its challenges with the girls sharing several organ systems,” said Dr. Darrell Cass, lead surgeon and co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center. “This is the first time a separation surgery for thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins with this particular configuration has been successful.”
In addition to seeing what the twins went through during surgery, viewers of the documentary also will follow Knatalye and Adeline through every phase of the arduous process leading up to and following their separation. At only 8 months old, the twins underwent a tissue expansion surgery to prepare their skin for separation. The girls continue to receive a rigorous regime of physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Elysse and Eric Mata, the twins’ parents, share their feelings on the documentary about the entire ordeal and what they had to go through as a family to make it all happen. Elysee talks about how she lived out of a temporary home near the hospital for a year while her girls were at Texas Children’s Hosptial. Eric, meanwhile, maintained his job at their permanent residence nearly eight hours away, commuting to hospital as much as possible.
“They have only been a part of our lives for nine months, but they have done so much for me as a mom,” Elysse said a month before Knatalye and Adeline were separated. “I just can’t imagine not having them.”
The encore of the documentary is scheduled for July 20 and October 9 on Discovery Life. Find out what channel Discovery Life is on in your area and with your provider here. The documentary also will air July 20 on TLC. Check the network’s website for showtimes.