Alyssa's remarkable journey
Mary and Alyssa. Credit: Erin Trigger Photography
A young Brisbane girl, who was born a conjoined twin and survived the separation surgery that claimed her sister, has embarked on a mission to meet someone just like her.
Alyssa Nolan is hoping to attend a world first convention overseas, but needs help to get there.
Alyssa may be entering those tricky teenage years but she is loving high school and dreams of a future in child care.
It has been a bumpy ride since she and twin Bethany were born.
And, almost 13 years to the day since the separation surgery that saved Alyssa but claimed her sister's life, Alyssa thinks of Bethany every day.
So does their mum, Mary, who said: “As proud of her as I am, you look at her and think, where there is one, there should be two.
“I think Beth's the angel on her shoulder, she'll go through life with Alyssa.”
Over the years, there have been cruel taunts from bullies and almost 40 operations with more to come.
But life has essentially been pretty normal for Alyssa and her big brothers.
There is one thing though that Alyssa would dearly love though, and that is to meet someone just like her; another conjoined twin.
"They will know where I'm coming from,” she said.
In August the world's first convention for conjoined twins will be held in the United States. It is an event Alyssa and her family desperately want to attend.
As well meeting other families, they would get the chance to see specialists and take part in research.
They do not have the money to make the trip so they have started fundraising online.
The family is also reaching out to the Sydney couple who have just given birth to conjoined twins Hope and Faith.
Mary added: “If I could be there to support them in any way I would be happy to. They have a big, scary but beautiful journey ahead of them.”
