Carmen and Lupita Andrade, 25, along with Carmen’s husband, Daniel McCormack, are speaking candidly about love, marriage, and the many misunderstandings people have about their lives.
Carmen and Daniel, who met on Hinge in 2020, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on Lover’s Leap Bridge in New Milford, Connecticut, in October 2024. Since then, the couple has faced constant public curiosity, rumors, and inappropriate questions.
“People always underestimate us,” Carmen tells PEOPLE. Medical issues are often dismissed as simply being related to their condition, even though they both suffer from endometriosis, which deeply affects their daily lives. Finding doctors willing to treat them — especially for something like a hysterectomy — has proven difficult, as many fear complications with anesthesia.
The sisters, originally from Mexico, were told early on that separation surgery would be too dangerous, potentially leading to neurological damage or even death. Instead, they chose to remain conjoined, sharing parts of their circulatory, digestive, and reproductive systems, though each has their own heart, lungs, and stomach.
High school offered its own challenges: administrators once made their classmates watch an “educational” video about them before the school year began. Still, the sisters recall that fellow students treated them kindly and they had a supportive group of friends.
When it comes to Carmen and Daniel’s marriage, strangers often cross boundaries with intrusive questions about their private lives. “I don’t understand why people think they need to know about my body to see me as human,” Carmen says. Lupita adds, “I love him as a brother. That’s it. People asking if I’ll ever love him like Carmen does is ridiculous.” Daniel is equally blunt: “People are obsessed with sex — but it’s nobody’s business.”
Another common misconception is that Carmen and Daniel’s relationship isn’t genuine. Some accuse him of cheating, being opportunistic, or only staying for financial gain. “I don’t even have money,” Carmen jokes. The sisters also clarify that while they have a large online following, their income is modest, and they still work long hours to cover expenses.
The marriage, they stress, is based on mutual respect. Carmen and Daniel maintain open communication to balance intimacy with Lupita’s boundaries. “If my sister isn’t comfortable, we respect that,” Carmen explains. Lupita simply adds, “I have headphones and a phone. I don’t care.”
What made Daniel stand out from the start? He asked about their dog. “That’s how I knew he was different,” Carmen says. Lupita, who encouraged her sister to pursue him, agrees. Today, the couple has been together for nearly five years, bonded by humor, kindness, and a shared love for animals.
Despite busy schedules, Carmen and Lupita continue pursuing passions like acting, recently participating in Brandon Rogers’ Night in the Park. Through their story, they hope to challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance.
“You don’t need to be scared or angry about differences,” Carmen says. Lupita adds, “Just accept it and move on.”
Or, as Carmen points out, “Not every disabled person exists to educate you. We’re not here to be curiosities — we’re people.”
