The story of Charity and Kathleen Lincoln began as a medical challenge. Born conjoined from chest to pelvis, sharing a liver, intestines, and pelvic organs, their futures were inextricably linked in the most literal sense. A team of thirty doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital undertook a monumental task: a 31-hour separation surgery that would grant each sister her own body. The successful operation was just the first step on a long road of recovery, a journey marked by resilience and the unwavering support of their family and medical team.
Years turned the once-fragile infants into strong young women. Then, in a moment of profound symbolism, Charity returned to the place where her independent life began. At the same Seattle hospital, she gave birth to her daughter, Alora. The moment was made even more poignant by the presence of Dr. John Waldhausen, the surgeon who had helped separate her from her sister over two decades prior. From a shared beginning to individual lives filled with possibility, their journey stands as an enduring narrative of scientific achievement and the simple, powerful act of living a full life.
