Shared Body, Unique Minds - Candid Insights from Conjoined Twins Carmen and Lupita Andrade

Carmen and Lupita Andrade Instagram/Carmen und Lupita Andrade

Conjoined twins Carmen and Lupita Andrade, 23 years old and residing in Connecticut, share not only their bodies, but also their experiences, which they have openly revealed in a social media video. According to the British newspaper Daily Star, the two sisters, who share their organs and limbs below the waist, have published a Q&A video in which they address the questions they constantly receive on Instagram.

“We have two brains”

Shortly after birth, the parents of the two were told they would not live long, but now they are doing well. In their video, they explain how “we have the same body parts, but that has not stopped us from doing the things we want to do.”

The two also clarify that one can sleep while the other is awake. Carmen explains: “If one of us is tired, we don’t both have to be tired, because we have two different brains.”

What happens when one twin dies?

They also explain that they are not able to control each other’s limbs. Another question they often have to answer relates to their social life. “We are still two different people, so we have two separate IDs and social security numbers,” Carmen states.

She even addresses the morbid question of what would happen if one of them dies. “We share our blood circulation, so at some point sepsis will set in and the other will naturally pass away within a few hours or days,” she explains in the event that one of them passes before the other.

One twin is in a relationship

Their personal relationships are also a frequent topic. Carmen has had a boyfriend, Daniel, for three years, who is not dating Lupita. Both suffer from endometriosis and therefore cannot have children. Lupita, who is asexual, has a good friendship with Daniel.

Despite the difficulties their situation brings with it, they live their lives as normally as possible. An operation to separate them is not an option, as they share many internal structures and the risk is too high.

They also spoke about their life on TV some time ago. Among other things, they explained that they can do sports and drive a car together.