The subject of several television specials documenting her life with a rare congenital fusion of the lower limbs known as Sirenomelia, or "Mermaid Syndrome," Pepin sadly passed away at the age of ten from complications of her unique medical condition. She was admired by many for her indomitable spirit.
At the time of her birth, she was missing several important organs and was not expected to live more than a few months. She received her first kidney transplant in 2001 and her second in 2007.
Other people who were born with Mermaid Syndrome include Milagros Cerron and Tiffany Yorks. Yorks, born in 1988, received surgery for her condition early in her life and, as of 2014, was the oldest surviving Sirenomelia patient.
She was born in Maine to Elmer and Leslie Pepin. Her older sister, Molly, passed away as an infant.
Just a month prior to her death from pneumonia, Pepin was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
