The Glover Twins
McCartney Lennon & McKenzie Starr
Fumarase Deficiency

On December 22 and December 23rd of 2001 I delivered identical twins in less than 45 minutes. Twin 1 is named McCartney Lennon, and twin 2 McKenzie Starr. Even though they were small for gestational age 3lb 11oz and 4lb 7oz they had no complications. Named after the fab four The Beatles by their father they became know as the "BEATLE TWINS" this being their fathers first children at the age of 32 we couldn't have been more excited.

They grew and gained weight at a normal rate until around 4 months of age then I began noticing lack of muscle tone and that they weren't doing the same things my 12yo and 5 yo daughter did at that age trying not to compare I thought maybe premature twins would just be slower at developing at age 5 month they were losing weight and still couldn't hold their heads up.

A routine metabolic screen for failure to thrive by our local pediatrician left us with alarming results that she didn't understand.  We were sent to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock Arkansas to a biochemical geneticist after 4 days of testing we were diagnosed with FUMARASE FEFICIENCY an enzyme deficiency so rare that only 45 cases have been documented in the last 20 years because of lack of research in this area there is no treatment much less a cure. Statistics on this disorder reveal that half of the children diagnosed died before their first birthday the other half have severe disabilities, all are profoundly mentally retarded.

My beautiful twins are now 7 months old legally blind can't hold their heads up are fed through a g button due to losing the ability to swallow but they are happy, smile often and comfort each other by touch. We are blessed to have them and in their honor we hope to fight for the need for genetic research and prenatal genetic testing. Maybe one day there will be a cure for fumarase deficiency due to the research they have gotten from my little Beatle Twins, maybe one day they will save a life. There is little to be found on this disorder if I can be of help to anyone for information or support please e-mail me at bobbie@grnco.net. Soon we hope to have a web site dedicated to our daughters.

Thanks for your interest.
Bobbie
Written by Bobbie Glover, mother to McCartney & McKenzie
Paragould, AR 7/23/02

Please note that we're currently waiting for an updated email address for Bobbie

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Updated 8/20/05