NYU Winthrop Hospital Hosts Triplets Reunion

Dr. Martin R. Chavez, Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Director of the Fetal Surgery Program at NYU Winthrop Hospital, hosted the end-of-school year celebration honoring 30 triplets who were born at NYU Winthrop Hospital. The festive celebration took place at the NYU Winthrop Research and Academic Center.

The parents, in attendance with their children, discussed the wonders and challenges of raising triplets, the incredible shared bonds and similarities, and the unique personality traits that differentiate siblings. Thirty children, ages three months to six years, were present for the celebration.

Triplet families who attended include:

Jamie Layton of Lindenhurst: Six-year-olds James, Jaxon and Ashlyn just finished first grade. They were born October 25, 2012, the smallest weighing in at 3lbs. Ashlyn’s two brothers look out for her since she has Type 1 Diabetes. They alert their mother whenever they hear Ashlyn’s blood-sugar monitor beep. Over the summer, Ashlyn will attend a diabetes day camp where all the kids have diabetes like her. Jaxon loves video games while James loves to draw and build things. Ashlyn is “the boss” of the trio and loves school.

Michelle and Theodore Katsavos of Lynbrook: Six-year-olds Luke, Briana and Chase graduated from kindergarten and will now attend a “Summer Playground” program. They were born on June 17, 2013, ranging in weight from 3lbs 14oz to 4lbs 1 oz. Lukeis independent and likes to play with his toy trains and cars. Brianna is a “go-getter.” Chaseis the silly one of the group and loves Pokémon.

Danielle Ezzo-Issa and Mike Issa of Wantagh: The Ezzo-Issa triplets, born February 7, 2013, are six and just completed kindergartenThey’re enrolled in a summer recreation program and will also spend time as a family on their boat. Joseph loves baseball, soccer, video games and reading. Noelle is the stylish triplet, and Lyla is the funny triplet.

Yorel DeLeon and Joseph Chapman of Far Rockaway: First-born Talia acts as the leader of this triplet group. She loves to dance and sing. Alexis is more reserved, while Camille is the sensitive and affectionate who can also be a bit stubborn. Talia is fraternal while Alexis and Camille are identical. Now four-years-old, they are currently enrolled in Pre-K. Over the summer they’re attending a day camp.

Shirley Velez-Ocasio and Edgardo Ocasio of Bayside: Angeline, Taylor and Chloe are in Pre-K. This summer, their mom plans to continue her children’s schooling so they will be better prepared for kindergarten. Angeline is non-verbal, but mom says the triplets have very similar personalities and tend to get emotional when separated.

Polixeni and Saju Damodaran of Floral Park: While the Damodaran triplets, who turn two on October 5, are too young for school, they have an older sibling, 3-year-old Adrian, to look up to and learn from. The triplets have very distinct personalities. Arthur is very chill and laid back. Iris is spunky while Annabelle is sweet and considered the “momma bear” of the triplets because she loves to hug. At birth they ranged in weight from just 2lbs 14oz (Iris) to 4lbs 8oz.

Sara and Thomas McCausland of Deer Park: The McCausland triplets, born July 26, 2018 are just 11 months old. While identical triplets Timothy and Benjamin are the quiet ones, fraternal triplet Gavin is chattier. Mom Sara has expressed interest in attending “Mommy and Me” classes where she can spend time having fun with her kids while meeting other parents.

Kelli Roche-Fennely and Jason Roche of Brightwaters: Four-year-olds Owen, Noah and Miles all attend a Pre-K program. During their summer break, Kelli and Jason plan to take the triplets and older sibling, six-year-old Aiden, to Disney World in Orlando.

Candice and Stephen Collazo of North Massapequa: The youngest triplets in attendance were born March 4, 2019. Hazel has been a relatively mellow baby. Eliza is a bit of a “firecracker” and diva. David is like Hazel, mellow and quiet. Candice says that the hardest part of raising triplets was having to see them in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after they were born. Though young, the triplets are already interacting with one another, which Candice states is one of the best things she has experienced as a mother.

Hattie and Mikel Butler of Brooklyn: Munro, Malia and Mikel will turn three in August. They are enrolled in a daycare program in Brooklyn. Hattie says they have such similar personalities that when one of them cries, all of them cry. The triplets love to play with one another.