These aren't your typical twins, they were born conjoined

The birth of conjoined twins is rare, and their survival is far from assured. Statistics from the University of Maryland Medical Center show conjoined twins occur once every 200,000 live births and just about 35 percent survive only one day.(Photo: KUSA)These twins are classic 14-year-olds; they're active and full of energy.Lexi and Sydney Stark are close, but they used to be closer.In 2001, they became the only conjoined twins to be successfully separated in Colorado and survive.The birth of conjoined twins is rare, and their survival is far from assured. Statistics from the University of Maryland Medical Center show conjoined twins occur once every 200,000 live births and just about 35 percent survive only one day.Emily and James Stark, their parents, became well aware of these facts when they learned their twins were joined at the base of their spines. As parents-to-be they were forced to make some difficult decisions."We breathed those decisions and made those decisions knowing that someday we'd have to look at them in the face and say 'yes, we chose to separate you, and these are the consequences of it," Emily Stark said.With surgery, there were scary risks but the Starks decided the girls deserved the chance to live independent lives.Watch the video above to see how these twins are thriving 14 years after their risky surgery. Today, Lexi and Sydney are almost 14 years old. They are healthy and happy and typical teenage girls. They are best friends but have two very different personalities.Lexi loves to bake and cook. Sydney plays the piano.If you like this story of babies overcoming tough circumstances, meet this toddler who shocked everyone 4 days after his leg was amputated.Here at the USA TODAY network, not only do we want to provide you with the current events of the day, but also a little dose of inspiration while you're getting your news fix. Inspiration Nation is our way of providing you with that jolt of good news to bring a smile to your day.Last VideoNext VideoLogger ditches men and machines for two loyal horsesMan bikes 30 miles to work, despite -10 degree weatherSee why this man's good deed has gone viralToddler shocks everyone 4 days after leg amputationMan gets bionic eye, sees wife for first time in a decadeHoops team gives special teen a shot, see what she does