SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TWINS WHO CAN SEE THROUGH EACH OTHER'S EYES

A pair of conjoined twins who share a brain and a skull have defied doctors' expectations and have learned to walk, talk and even argue with one another.

When Tatiana and Krista Hogan, now seven, were born, their parents were warned to expect the worst with the twins not expected to survive the day.

But the children, who live with their family in Vernon, British Columbia, have continued to defy expectations and now enjoy similar lives to their classmates.

According to their mother Felicia, the girls adore going to school, watching Power Rangers and eating cake.

What's more, she says, they are always happy and bring her and their father, Brendan, such joy, along with their other children Rosa, 11, Christopher, nine, Shayleigh, five.

'Seeing everything I have to go through with them would make your head spin,' said Mrs Hogan. 'It's hard but I wouldn't change it. In my next lifetime, if I could chose this life, I would choose it.'


Mr and Mrs Hogan were given the news that their babies were joined at the head and that their futures would be uncertain during Mrs Hogan's pregnancy.

But their mother says abortion 'was not an option'. Instead, the pair have been constantly monitored since birth - and caused marvel among doctors astonished how their shared brain works.

Not only do the twins see through one another's eyes, they also share emotions and feel it when the other is tickled.

While each controls her own limbs, both twins can control one each of the other's legs and arms.

But while they are feel the same things they also have different personalities.

'Over the years Tatiana has become the prominent leader,' says their mother. 'Krista is quieter and can be more in her own shell.'

Or as Tatiana puts it: 'I'm the red Power Ranger - Jason! The leader'

Dr Douglas Cochrane a neurosurgeon who has treated the girls as they have grown up admitted:

'They have amazed me - how they are the same but how they are different, how they are dealing with an error of nature to live healthy lives.'

Their grandmother Louise McKay said they continue to defy expectations with the fulfilling lives they lead.

'One doctor said they would be lying on their backs all their lives,' said Mrs McKay, 'but they have surpassed everybody's expectations.'

The girls have learnt how to run and play together but it has yet to be established whether or not they share thoughts.


The family believe they are definitely capable of communicating with each other within their own heads from the way they are often mischievous together and can share a joke without speaking.

'People always ask when will they be separated but they won't be,' said Mrs McKay. 'They have too much wiring going to each other for them ever to be separated.'