On a spring day in 1953, two baby girls were born at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in eastern Oregon.

They grew up happily, got married, had kids of their own and became grandparents. Then last summer their lives were turned upside down.

Switched at birth ... Kay Rene Reed Qualls, left, and DeeAnn Angell Shafer. Credit:AP

Kay Rene Reed Qualls found out that she and DeeAnn Angell Shafer had been switched at birth.

They recently met for the first time and underwent DNA tests after an 86-year-old woman who knew both their mothers called Mrs Qualls's brother with her suspicion.