Twins for a cause

Identical twins are not only impressing crowds with their genetics, but also with their story.

Allison and Lauren Knight are 28-year-old identical twins from Kingsville. Their unique characteristics did not come without obstacles. Throughout their life they have been bullied, teased and picked on. Both of them have been diagnosed with depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. After completing their history masters program at the end of 2008, the twins had plans to go to teacher’s college.  Since they haven’t spent more than a few hours apart, the twins weren’t comfortable with the lifestyle teacher’s college would offer. They began to write to express frustrations. This served as a self-soothing technique. That’s when the idea of publishing a book of their personal struggles and experiences arose.

“I think we just want to get our stories out there to encourage others to feel like they can be open as well,” said Lauren. “When you suffer from a mental illness it’s a very isolating feeling and often times you feel like no one wants to hear about it because you don’t want to drag them down.”

The twins have been sharing their stories with audiences around Canada of their stories since September 2011. On Jan. 17 they shared their stories at the University of Windsor’s Mental Health Awareness week where students could listen and purchase their book.

“Individually we seem like normal people but because we wear a figurative mask, we seem happy, but we’re not and it’s okay to address that,” said Allison. “Hopefully by reaching out to others it will encourage others to do the same, or at least find some safe people to talk to and also something you can do together.”

Their book “Mirror, Mirror” can be purchased through their website at www.lauralart.net.