Separating them meant facing one of the most dangerous pediatric surgeries in existence.
Hiyab and Wuhbto were born in Ethiopia joined at the head, an extremely rare condition known as craniopagus twins. During their first years, they shared part of their skull and blood vessels, so any attempt at separation involved enormous risks of hemorrhage, neurological damage, and other serious complications.
When they were 2 years old, they traveled to the United States to be treated by a multidisciplinary team. Before the definitive separation, the doctors performed several procedures to prepare their blood vessels and reduce the risks of an intervention that ultimately lasted more than 24 hours.
The operation was successful, and for the first time, the sisters were able to be physically separated. Then came another equally important challenge: rehabilitation, physical therapy, and learning movements they had previously performed together.
Now they are working on skills such as sitting upright, eating, speaking, and socializing independently, while specialists hope that over time they will also be able to stand and walk.
They spent their first years unable to be separated for even a second; today, they have the chance to discover the world, each with their own body, but always side by side.