The Power of Touch
"The power of a simple touch is an amazing thing." As humans, we're designed to connect with other people. We need to be touched in order to feel loved, safe and even healthy. Research has shown that people who connect with others more often in a physical way, tend to be mentally and physically healthier than those who fly solo. Even better, the sense of touch can actually save lives. Too good to be true? If you think so, this true story about a nurse and twin infants may change your mind.

Premature and Barely Hanging On
It was a chilly night on October 17, 1995 in Massachusetts when twin sisters Kyrie and Brielle Jackson were born 12 weeks premature. Weighing in at only 2.2 pounds each, the little girls were barely hanging on to life and their journey in this world had just begun.

A Long Road to Recovery
The twins were kept in separate incubators to help prevent infections. Over time, Kyrie's condition slowly improved. She began to gain weight and her breathing had started to transition into a normal rhythm. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for her sister, Brielle.

While her sister's health improved every day, Brielle's condition continued to decline rapidly. She struggled to gain weight, screamed 24/7 and suffered from low oxygen levels that left her blue in the face. It seemed that Brielle's luck was quickly running out and no one knew what to do.

The ICU Nurse
Gayle Kasparian was a nurse working in the ICU and had been helping nurture both Kyrie and Brielle back to health. She was startled by Brielle's lack of progress and realized her condition was continuing to deteriorate rapidly.

Gayle tried everything she could think of for the infant. She held her constantly and even let her father hold her. They wrapped her in comfort blankets and kept her nose clean, yet nothing seemed to work.

Frantic for answers, Gayle remembered a method that was used in Europe to help infants who weren't improving. Unfortunately, it was against every hospital policy.

Sisters Reunited
Realizing this could be her last chance to save the baby, Gayle threw caution to the wind and placed the infant in the same incubator as her twin sister. Almost immediately, Brielle cuddled up to her sister. Very soon afterward ...

Brielle's condition improved! Not only did her crying stop, but she quickly started to gain weight. It seemed being next to her sister was the key to her recovery and as long as they were together her health improved tremendously.

The twin sisters who defied all odds were poised for fame.

Breaking Through
Even though the girls were dealt a bad hand at the start of their lives, they were able to push through and become healthy. They grew up, went to preschool, and kept moving forward ... normally.

Instant Fame
The photograph of the girls circulated in news publications around the world. It ended up on the cover of Life magazine and Reader's Digest. These two became an inspiration and a beacon of hope for many people.

Changing the Game
The hospital where Gayle worked praised her efforts and used this incident as a jumping off point to change their guidelines on twin births. Despite the girls' rough start, the entire medical community was now interested in new ways to help premature infants survive.

All Grown Up
Today, the girls are fully grown and a far cry from the frail premature infants born on the brink of death 22 years ago.

Despite their fame, the girls remain grounded and close.

Miracles happen, and Touch is often a significant part of the reason that they do.

Important → The point of posting SoCawlege's essay is not to promote a particular social, religious, or political narrative per se. Rather, this essay offers insights into the various cognitive and subliminal areas of perception and response that are related to development, growth, and healing. Perhaps there is an evolutionary requirement FOR Touch, helpful FOR the coping with or protection from some of the corrosive effects of injury, stress, or "bad luck." Touch and the Response to Touch may represent various Personality Filter subroutines that could be explored scientifically by those moved to do so. ← Important