'I'M MY OWN TWIN'
Model shocked to find out her ‘birthmark’ is the result of ‘ABSORBING her twin in the womb’
Taylor Muhl has been left with a two-toned belly after she and her fraternal twin fused together while still in her mother’s womb
A MODEL is her own twin sister after discovering her “birthmark” is actually the mark left behind when she absorbed her twin in the womb.
Taylor Muhl, a singer and entertainer from California, has been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called chimerism.
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This means she and her fraternal twin fused together while still in her mother’s womb.
According to the 33-year-old the condition is so rare that only around 100 cases have been confirmed worldwide.
As a result of her chimerism, Taylor has two sets of DNA, two sets of blood cells and two immune systems – making her her own twin.
Her condition appears as a straight line that runs down the centre of her torso dividing it into two different colours - the left side of the pigmentation being her twin’s genetic makeup and the right side being her own.
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After years of doctor visits and tests, Taylor was finally diagnosed in her twenties and is now raising awareness about chimerism.
"I am my own twin because I have two genetic makeups within one body," she told Barcroft TV.
"It’s basically having totally two different humans under the same hood of the car, so to speak.
"When I grew up no-one said anything about my second colour skin pigmentation because no-one really knew.
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"The only people that did know were probably my closest friends and family. Anywhere I went publicly I always kept it covered.
";My whole life I was always told that my second colour skin pigmentation was just a birthmark.
"Most doctors, even in this day and age, don’t know about chimerism because it’s that rare."
Determined to have a natural pregnancy and home birth Taylor's mum, Alex Muhl, opted against having ultrasounds, which is not recommended by midwives.
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As a result, she wasn't aware she was due to have twins.
"I had Taylor at home and I had two midwifes who took care of me," Alex said.
"Everything was done naturally and part of it was to not upset the child.
"I just firmly believed it was something I did not want to do to the baby. I wanted it to be natural. So I never knew.
"As soon as Taylor was born, we just swaddled her and enjoyed the moment.
"Then after the midwife swept her away to bathe her and weigh her and then brought her back, it was like, ‘Wow! What is this?’ And there was this demarcation down the middle of her abdomen."
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From when she was a little girl, and before she was diagnosed, Taylor had always had an obsession about being a twin.
She noticed none of her friends’ bodies appeared to be divided down the middle into two different pigmentations, like hers.
Later, when she started experiencing strange illnesses, doctors realised she wasn’t just sporting a large birthmark, as was originally thought.
As she got older and began working in the entertainment industry, the pigmentation on her stomach knocked her confidence and opted for laser removal therapy.
"I think my very first appointment was so painful to the point that it brought me to tears," she said.
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"I was just blown away because I couldn’t understand why it was hurting so bad if it was just a birthmark.
"The doctor wanted me to come back for a second time and I just said, ‘No way, it’s staying on me.’ It was unbearable, so it cannot be removed. It’s been on me since the day I was born and it will be there till I leave.
"I've definitely had times in my life I had been insecure about showing my torso.
"I was so scared that if I showed my torso on a job or a photo shoot, that clients would never want to work with me again.
"Women in general, we all have our own insecurities and having a torso that is two different colours was definitely one of mine.
"What gave me the confidence to finally come out about being a chimera is I realised I have been hiding this my entire life, almost pretending like it’s not a part of my life."
HOW A PERSON CAN BE THEIR OWN TWIN
Chimerism can happen in cases of fraternal twins - when each twin develops from two different eggs and sperm cells.
These two eggs can merge and form one person with two different cells lines.
Most of the time, people with chimerism probably go undiagnosed.
In most cases, it is almost impossible for a doctor to diagnose the condition.
But there are subtle signs including patchy skin colouration, different coloured eyes and having two different blood types.
In some cases where different sets of sex chromosomes merge a person's internal and external genitalia can be affected.
But the most troubling part is the fact chimerism can result in a host of adverse health issues.
Her health issues were thought to be the result of one half of her body attacking the other.
This was because she carries two sets of DNA and therefore, two “different” immune systems, the site reports.
Taylor says she takes strong probiotics and vitamin supplements and commits herself to a healthy lifestyle to fight off any further health issues.
She told Yahoo: “Even with doing all of that, though, I still endure autoimmune problems and food sensitivities daily, so emotionally it can get frustrating and wearing.”
MORE ON TWINS
She’s also become an advocate for human chimera awareness and an advocate for body positivity.
Taylor uses her Instagram page to share information about her condition and teach others physical abnormalities shouldn’t stand in anyone’s way.
She wrote on Instagram: “I felt it was important to show my entire physical demarcation because in the entertainment business there’s an overwhelming amount of pressure to appear physically perfect or within a certain physical stereotype.
“I hope by showing my own imperfections I can inspire others who have physical abnormalities or who are different, to never let that stop them from pursuing their dreams.”
A version of this story originally appeared on .
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