These Separated Twins Just Turned 10—But They’re Celebrating More Than a Birthday
At first glance, Abby and Isabelle Carlson seem like your typical ten-year-old sisters—bright smiles, matching features, and a playful spark in their eyes. They laugh, tease one another, and tackle schoolwork with the kind of curiosity only kids their age can muster. But behind their ordinary appearance lies an extraordinary story—one that began with a miracle.
When they were born, Abby and Isabelle were conjoined twins—joined at the chest and sharing vital organs, including a heart that leaned more toward Isabelle’s side, yet beat inside Abby’s body. It was a complex and fragile situation, one that posed immediate questions about their survival. But thanks to an incredible team of doctors and a high-risk surgery, these girls were given a second chance at life.
Back in 2006, a group of 17 surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota prepared for one of the most delicate procedures imaginable: separating the twins, whose organs were intricately intertwined. Leading the charge was pediatric surgeon Dr. Christopher Moir, who assembled specialized teams for every major system—cardiac, liver, pancreas, and plastic surgery—and doubled them for the twin patients.
“You have your cardiac team, your pancreatic team, your liver team, the plastic surgery teams… and then double them, because there’s two patients,” Dr. Moir explained in an interview with CBS at the time.
On May 12, 2006, the surgical team worked tirelessly for 12 hours. And in the end, they succeeded—Abby and Isabelle were finally separate individuals. Just two weeks later, they returned to their home in North Dakota, where they began life anew—not as two halves of a whole, but as two strong, thriving little girls.
Fast forward ten years, and the Carlson twins are healthy, intelligent, and full of energy. Their parents have watched them flourish—learning to walk, discovering a passion for gymnastics, swapping outfits, and diving headfirst into the joys of childhood. They’ve grown not just as sisters, but as individuals with distinct personalities and a healthy sense of competition.
“They’re extremely bright, a little bit competitive, and they definitely don’t want to be mistaken for each other,” one of their teachers told CBS. “There’s a reason they were separated!”
Indeed, while they share a birthday, a history, and identical DNA, Abby and Isabelle insist on being recognized as two unique people. And yet, some things remain instinctive—like the way they still reach for each other’s hands in public. A simple gesture, but one rich in symbolism. It’s those same hands that were once conjoined, pressed together in the earliest days of their lives.
“It’s weird,” the girls giggle when asked about it, pulling apart in mock embarrassment. But it’s not weird at all—it’s beautiful.
The necklaces they wear—each engraved with “One in a Million”—serve as quiet reminders of where they came from. But their bond, built not only from shared DNA but from a journey few could ever understand, speaks louder than any charm or trinket.
As they grow into adolescence and beyond, Abby and Isabelle will no doubt continue to define themselves on their own terms. They’ll chase dreams, tackle new challenges, and—yes—probably compete every step of the way. But they’ll always carry with them something no one else can quite touch: a connection forged in the very first moments of life, and strengthened by the miracle that allowed them to live it fully.
Inspired by their journey? Share this story and remind others of the quiet strength found in family, faith, and the will to thrive—even against all odds. ❤️