Although “twin telepathy” is often dismissed as a myth, it feels astonishingly real in the case of Krista and Tatiana Hogan.

Born in Vancouver, Canada, in 2006, Krista and Tatiana are not like ordinary twins. They are conjoined craniopagus twins, sharing both a skull and portions of their brain — a condition that occurs in only about one in every 50,000 to 60,000 births, according to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Their mother, Felicia Simms, learned of the condition during pregnancy. Yet, she never doubted her decision to bring her daughters into the world. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia in 2012, she explained:

“I think if anyone else in the world would have had these girls, they probably wouldn’t be here right now. No matter what you look like, you’re still a human being. It doesn’t matter if you’re conjoined, have a disease, or don’t look like everyone else — you are still human, and that’s what truly matters.”

What makes Krista and Tatiana especially extraordinary is their ability to share thoughts and sensations. Their mother often describes how they’ll sit silently, and then suddenly one will stand up to fetch food for the other — without a single word exchanged. It’s as if they instinctively know what the other wants.

Even more remarkably, the sisters can reportedly see through each other’s eyes, move one another’s limbs, and feel each other’s emotions. Doctors attribute this to their connected brain stems.

This unique connection was shown in a 2017 CBC documentary. In one demonstration, their mother covered the eyes of one twin, touched the other, and asked the first to identify where the touch occurred — and she could.

When it comes to separation, however, medical experts warn the risks are simply too great. Dr. James T. Goodrich, former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Montefiore Children’s Hospital in New York, explained to The New York Times Magazine in 2011 that any attempt would require cutting through vital brain tissue and splitting the thalami — a procedure that could be fatal.

Despite these challenges, Krista and Tatiana continue to thrive. History shows that conjoined twins can live long and meaningful lives — such as Lori and George Schappell, who lived to 62 years old. With their resilience, support, and remarkable connection, Krista and Tatiana’s story remains one of the most extraordinary examples of human perseverance and love.