'WE CAN DO ANYTHING
WHO|April 22, 2024
Just like thousands of sisters around the world every week, Brittany Hensel was right at her J sibling Abby's side for support when she tied the knot with Josh Bowling two years ago. 
Kylie Walters
'WE CAN DO ANYTHING

Video from the big day even shows the trio hugging in front of the guests, as the bride and groom share their first dance to Matt Simmons' 'Losing Control'. But where the story deviates from the usual is that Brittany has continued to be there for every moment with the happy couple since.

Brittany and Abby, both 34, are conjoined twins. Born in 1990 with the rare condition, dicephalic parapagus, they each have their own heart, stomach and lungs, while sharing a single body from the waist down. Abby controls their right arm and leg, while Brittany has movement on the left side.

Their parents, Mike and Patty, had no idea they were expecting twins until she gave birth. Doctors gave the infants little chance of both surviving if separated by surgery.

"How could you pick between the two?" Mike said in an interview with Time magazine.

The chances of making it to adulthood were also fairly slim, since most infants with the condition die shortly after birth.

However, Abby and Brittany have continued to defy the odds. Not only have they made it well past their 18th birthday, they’ve gone on to live relatively normal lives.

This story is from the April 22, 2024 edition of WHO.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 22, 2024 edition of WHO.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.