This Afternoon Episode Of 'Anderson'

by Brad Bechler

Member since:
May 4, 2010




Anderson Cooper Interviews Two Sets of Conjoined Twins and Parents

September 20, 2011 10:15 PM EDT

Anderson Cooper sat down with two sets of conjoined twins and their parents about the pressures of daily living. While twins Tatiana and Krista Hogan are fused like Josie and Teresa Alvarez once were, their lives are very different.

The CNN primary anchor of the 360 show is known for his courage in journalism by always being in the center of a developing high-profile story, and "keeping em honest" as he famously says.

His new Warner Bros. talk show Anderson debuted the day after the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

And when he sat down with the two sets of conjoined twins and their parents, it became obvious why Anderson Cooper is a trusted journalist and warm human being.

Tatiana and Krista Hogan are two adorable girls. Like other 4-year-old siblings, they show tough love towards one another. The only thing that sets them apart from other kids their age is they are conjoined twins aka Siamese twins.

The two were born fused at the head. However, they are among the only twins to share a part of the brain that allows them to exchange information, according to Radar Online.

For example, if Tatiana Hogan is looking at something, her sister Krista is able to see the same thing, even if she has her eyes covered. Furthermore, the conjoined twins are able to taste what the other is eating. It is perhaps one of the most intriguing marvels of science.

However, when Anderson Cooper spoke to the parents, Felicia Simms and Brendan Hogan, they explained how it takes a strong partnership to manage the girls daily. And while they love them unconditionally, they contend with the social ignorance from the public.

"The children catch onto them like there's no problem and they're like, 'Oh I want to play with them,' and then if there is a parent who doesn't want them playing with their children they'll actually take their children away from them," said Felicia Simms.

Sadly, the behavior Simms speaks about is brought on by what society conditions people to believe is "normal," while a lack of exposure furthers the ignorance.

"And it's like, do you realize what you're teaching your kid. You're teaching that child that it's not right to be different," she added.

AC spoke to former conjoined twins Josie and Teresa Alvarez as well. Their interview airs Wednesday on his daytime talk show. The duo was separated 10 years ago with the help of an advance in technology. For them, it was a matter of life and death.

Despite their successful separation, doctors say that the Hogan sisters are not good candidates for separation.

Anderson Cooper recently talked about his brother's suicide. His mother, heiress Gloria Vanderbilt, wrote a book about it following his death.

Undoubtedly, watching the twins brought back memories of his childhood. And while the twins are "different," they have one another.

Facts about conjoined twins here.