Twin Magic

Twin Magic. We are having double the fun as we introduce you to Alexander and Abigail!

WRITTEN BY ANDREA HURR With PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JULIAN CURET

It’s double the fun and double the challenges for Jeremy Lovell, father of special needs twins Alexander and Abigail. They’re not just twins but TEENAGE twins, no less. Luckily Jeremy says they light up a room and make you smile. “They are all around lovely, wonderful, great teenagers,” he says.

The twins were diagnosed with autism around the age of 2. Both of them were nonverbal for years, and they both had different needs and were on different ends of the spectrum. It hasn’t been easy, but Jeremy was told they would never talk, and today both can speak — Alexander more so than his sister, but a huge milestone nonetheless. The twins are 14 years old and in the eighth grade. Alexander attends Super Learning Center in Lakemore and Abigail goes to the Golden Key for Exceptional Children in Canton. Alex is a straight-A student and is going to join the Drama Club next year, much to dad’s delight. Alexander struggles socially, so joining the Drama Club is a huge step for him. Abigail is in her last year at Golden Key, and Jeremy is sad to know that their time there is coming to an end. He’s not sure yet where he plans to send her next year for high school. He poses the question, “Why are there not as many schools for these special, wonderful children?”

In the warmer months, both are part of the Canton Challenger Baseball League. They have participated in this league for about nine years, and watching them develop into players has been a joy. Alex started about a year before Abigail, and it was a struggle for both to learn the structure of the game. Now they are both excelling at it! Abigail went from needing hands-on assistance to being independent, and Alexander is a team leader whom the younger kids look up to. He has also played catcher. They both state that they want to be doctors of some sort one day when older.

Jeremy wants other special needs parents to know that you are not alone. “We all fail, but it’s what we do to make sure that it never happens again that makes the difference. Just cherish every moment. Never give up, be their voice, their advocate. Accept all the small surprises with your whole heart because these kiddos will always excel in different ways, and they will always amaze.”