At 20 years of age, Alyssa Nolan is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. The Queenslander is a medical miracle. Born co-joined at the head with her sister Bethany, she survived a marathon operation, ordered by the Supreme Court in 2001, to separate the twins.
Bethany lost her battle five minutes after being separated from her sister. At only 23 days old, Alyssa’s life hung in the balance: the twins had shared 10cm of skull and some brain tissue and cranial draining veins. With only one kidney, and suffering two cardiac arrests during the risky surgery, Alyssa was left with a 30cm open cavity in her skull where Bethany used to lie.