TWIN SISTER: Megan (24)

TWIN SISTER: mikayla (24)

YOUNGER SISTER: hannah (19)

Home Location: WHITEVILLE, NC

Twin sisters Megan and Mikayla are everything you’d expect from twins – they finish each other’s sentences, are attached at the hip, and, in their own words, “move as one.” On top of all that they share a condition called, “Albinism” which means that they have little to no pigmentation in their skin, hair, and eyes. As if being twins isn’t rare and interesting enough, the added shared element of albinism makes these two incredibly alike and incredibly close. Not only do they have the same unique look, but they experience many of the same struggles which only makes them stronger as a duo. Then, there’s their third sister, Hannah, who is NOTHING like the twins…

Hannah is the third, younger sister by about five years. She’s younger. She looks different. She acts differently. She isn’t Albino. She just doesn’t fit with the twins. The three girls are not shy to admit that Hannah is the outlier, and she sure feels it sometimes. Every possible difference one can name is one that Hannah has with her older sisters. Hannah is outgoing and loves to be the center of attention in social settings, whereas her older sisters Megan and Mikayla would rather stick with the small group of friends they have than be forced to go out and socialize with new people. Hannah has always been super athletic and involved in sports; she claims Megan and Mikayla wouldn’t even know what to do with a basketball. Hannah likes to party and socialize. This is not the twins. Megan and Mikayla are obsessed with pop culture, love following celebrities. Hannah couldn’t care less. Megan and Mikayla dress to be cute and comfortable while Hannah cares about her style and is always the first to adopt a new fashion trend. Even the boys they date are different; quiet and shy for the twins, edgy and outgoing for Hannah.

On top of their sheer similarity in looks and interests, Megan and Mikayla’s shared condition has contributed to the rocky dynamic with their younger sister. As the twins explain: “When you have a built in best friend, who also happens to be one of the only other people in the world experiencing the unique condition that you have, it forms an unbreakable bond.” This negatively impacts their relationship with Hannah, because she can’t relate, isn’t part of their shared bond and is often times left out and ostracized because she is the “odd one out.”

Megan and Mikayla have to take extra precaution to do any daily activity because of their condition. Even going outside requires sunglasses, sunscreen, and preparation. They can’t drive because they have difficulty seeing, especially in bright conditions. Also, being in public places is difficult for Megan and Mikayla. This is when the extremely close twins are forced to allow their sister into their inner world because they need her to navigate their daily lives. Hannah is there to offer assistance in any area that her older twin sisters may need. She’s eager to earn her place in the sisterhood and will act as a personal chauffer by driving her big sisters wherever they need to go and even assisting them once they arrive. Though the big sisters rely on Hannah in their daily lives, they will never accept her as part of their duo.  

Megan and Mikayla have moved in together, just the two of them and they’re determined for it to stay that way. Naturally, because Hannah always wants to be a part of her older sisters’ lives, it’s causing a rift between them. Hannah is still stuck living at home with Mom, while her sisters live the dream on their own. And even worse, they tell her they don’t want her to move in but have no problem relying on her to help with basic needs like chores or driving! Hannah is begging to move in with her sisters. Mikayla thinks that on one hand it might help them on a practical level. Megan on the other hand thinks that it will lead to an all-out melt-down. Hannah thinks it’ll be a terrific idea. Meanwhile, Megan’s boyfriend wants to one day live with his girlfriend, but he can’t separate Megan and Mikayla. Their future housing solution is up for debate and everyone wants something different…

Megan and Mikayla are at the point in their post-college lives where they are trying to decide what they want to be when they grow up. They are interested in starting a small catering or baking business together. However, if they start a business they know that Hannah is going to want to be involved. On one hand, they know that they can’t do it without their sister, but on the other hand they’re not sure if involving the outspoken, little sister to mettle in their business is good for anyone. Only time will tell if Hannah will find her place as part of a trio, or will always be the “odd” sister out to Megan and Mikayla.