They call them the “nurse twins,” and this summer they have been a close match for another set of twins on the ward.
Joshua Legaspi and Michael Feir have become known by that nickname at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, where they work most of their shifts together and sometimes dress in matching outfits. The pair started at Holland Bloorview on the same day, according to CTV News and the Toronto Star.
Legaspi, 20, and Feir, 38, have spent the summer helping care for 10-year-old twin sisters Milayna and Naya Soares during a lengthy stay at the hospital.
“We usually catch patients when they’re most vulnerable, so we need to come up with ways to make sure that they’re having fun, they’re happy, they’re on track with their rehab,” Feir told the Toronto Star. “Knowing that these kids are here and they’re giving their 110 percent for their rehab, why shouldn’t I as a nurse match that energy?”
The Soares sisters have been inpatients at Holland Bloorview while Milayna recovers from surgery to lengthen the muscles and tendons in her legs and Naya learns how to walk using a new prosthetic foot, according to the hospital.
The girls were born prematurely at 30 weeks and have faced health challenges including brain bleeds, cardiac arrest and stroke. Milayna has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Naya has heart conditions, scoliosis and a limb difference.
During their stay, the sisters, who shared a room, built a bond with the two nurses. Legaspi and Feir entertained them by doing cartwheels, blowing bubbles and playing tag.
“When we were bored, Josh grabbed some plastic cups and our squishies, and he made it into like a bowling game,” Milayna told CTV News.
Their mother, Stephanie Soares, said the nurses have helped motivate her daughters as Naya adjusts to using her prosthetic foot and Milayna spends time outside her wheelchair for the first time in her life.
“Josh and Michael will take them for a walk sometimes and encourage them to use their new equipment and want to learn to walk,” Stephanie said. “That has assisted even me being able to get them wanting to do therapy beyond just the one hour a day that they have.”
She also told the Toronto Star the pair helped ease a hard stretch for the family.
“There’s lots of stress and heaviness, but they definitely lighten the mood,” she said. “It shows that they’re going the extra mile and they care about their patients.”
The sisters have made progress during their stay at Holland Bloorview. Naya, who needed braces and positioning equipment after surgery, can now walk around the unit’s terrace, according to the Toronto Star. Milayna can now race through the halls on her walker.
“I really hope the kids remember the feeling of achieving a milestone here in rehab,” Feir told the newspaper. “There is a space for them where we acknowledge and celebrate their courage, their resilience and their uniqueness.”
“They’re very, very resilient,” Legaspi added. “They’ve shown a lot of courage.”
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