We came into this world together, never imagining life without the other. As twins our identities are entwined.

We approach life as a "we", rather than an "I". Some of us have never had to experience life from a solo perspective. Our sense of self is integrated with another person’s from as far back as we can remember. We learn to rely on each other and develop a consideration for our twin’s well being, which teaches us much about bonds and relationships.

From conception on, we confront the world as one. "Once a twin, always a twin", in the words of Dr. Raymond Brandt, the founder of TTSGI.

With this shared approach to life, twins and other multiples learn to act with regard for their partner as much as they do for themselves. This joint identity predisposes twins to a common cause, a shared life with another person, from birth onward. This reciprocal approach to life is shattered by the death or estrangement of our twin. We are in shock, life feels foreign, and the pain feels unbearable. Fear, depression and loss of hope cloud our vision.

How can we go forward into life without part of our selves?

Our hearts are broken. Will we be strong enough to persevere? Is there anybody else who will ever understand us like our twin did? Can we communicate with another singleton (single birth person) to the same degree? Is our grief the same as theirs? How should we cope with the anger that sometimes presents itself? Will anyone truly understand our pain?

With a common pain and a common purpose, we help to support each other, through the unique grief of losing our twin.

Twinless Twins Support Group International is an organization made up of twins who have lost their twin. Members at different stages in their bereavement listen to each other and reach out in the spirit of healing and helping. We focus on healing and sharing our twinship. Hope can be renewed for the future.

Many twinless twins feel they have finally found a safe place to express their emotions within the organization and progress forward in their journey through grief.

What are normal grief reactions to the loss of a twin or other multiple? Do our feelings change over time? Is this loss different from other losses? Is my grief within the realm of normal? Shedding light on the many questions we have all asked, our organization continues to offer support through regional activities, national conferences and educational resources.

The strong bond of twinship withstands the test of time. We can do this together.

You are not alone. We are not alone.