FORD CITY -- They say twins share almost everything, and in the case of Jeannette and Connie Blaniar, that couldn't be more true.
In their case, however, one of the things they share is the fact that they both suffer from a form of cystic fibrosis, a disease that affects the digestive system and is, in many cases, fatal.
Despite their constant trips to Pittsburgh hospitals and having to modify their class schedules and much of their daily lives, the pair held their heads high and marched in together for last night's graduation ceremonies at Ford City High School.
The sisters giggled and smiled as they sat together waiting to don their caps and gowns, talking about their futures and how happy they were to be able to sit together during the graduation ceremony.
"Because of the disease, we don't get to see much of each other during the school day, or even at home some days," Jeannette said. "I am usually sick in the mornings when I wake up, so I don't go in to school until later in the morning."
While the girls suffer many of the same symptoms and problems as others with cystic fibrosis, they found out their type is unique among the thousands of types of cystic fibrosis found by doctors.
"Jeannette was diagnosed when she was 13 and soon after that, they found out I had the same thing," Connie said. "We have a lot of the same symptoms, but we do have a lot of different problems as a result."
Regardless of their disease and the treatments they must endure, neither seem to allow it to control their lives.
Jeannette plans to attend Thiel College for criminal justice, while Connie plans to major in nursing at La Roche College.
"When I become a nurse, I can help my sister and I both," Connie joked.
Susan Blaniar, their mother, wiped back tears of joy as she prepared to watch her daughters graduate.
"We were so worried that they wouldn't be able to finish school on time with the other kids," she said. "It's wonderful that they pushed themselves and worked so hard to get all their work done and graduate."
"It's been rough having to go to the hospital with them all the time, but we all stuck together and have managed to get through it all," she said. "I couldn't be more proud of them and all they have accomplished so far and everything they will accomplish in the future."
The Blaniar sisters shared their graduation with 100 students from Ford City, along with 120 graduates from Kittanning, 40 from Elderton and 70 from West Shamokin high schools.
The Armstrong School District held graduation at each of the four high schools last night.
