The world mourns the loss of the oldest known conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, who both passed away at the age of 62 in their Pennsylvania hometown.
Born on September 18, 1961, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Lori and George shared a rare connection, being conjoined at the skull while having separate bodies. They were linked by 30% of their brains and essential blood vessels.
Their incredible life journey came to a close on April 7 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, as noted in their obituary. The specific cause of their passing has not been revealed.
George, who lived with spina bifida, used a mobility device for assistance, while Lori facilitated their movements by pushing and guiding his rolling stool. Their form of conjoined twins is exceptionally rare, affecting only about 2% to 6% of cases of congenital twins, according to NBC Today.
In a landmark moment for their lives, George transitioned in 2007, making them the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders, as recognized by Guinness World Records. During their trip to London in 2011 to celebrate their 50th birthday, George shared insights about his journey with The Sun, stating: “I knew from a very young age that I was supposed to be a boy”.
Both Lori and George completed their education at the Hiram G. Andrews Center and later worked at Reading Hospital. Despite their physical connection, they each pursued their own passions and hobbies. George followed his love for music as a country singer, captivating audiences globally, while Lori thrived as an accomplished bowler.
Remarkably, the Schappells enjoyed an independent lifestyle since turning 24. Initially, they lived in a care facility, then transitioned to a two-bedroom apartment where they each had their own space. They highlighted the significance of privacy, emphasizing that even with their physical bond, they found ways to enjoy solitude when needed
“Would we ever separate? Absolutely not”, George stated in a 1997 documentary: “My theory is, why fix what isn’t broken?”
Lori echoed this sentiment in a 2002 interview with the Los Angeles Times, saying: “I don’t believe in separation”. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Lori and George during this challenging time.
My Husband Demanded a Sixth Child or Threatened Divorce – After My Lesson, He Begged for Forgiveness on His Knees
When my husband gave me a scary ultimatum, he didn’t expect me to stand up for myself and our children. The lesson I taught him showed him how unreasonable he was being when we already had so much to be grateful for. His ultimatum ended with him begging ME for mercy!
I never thought I’d be in this position, but here I am, standing at a crossroads. I was pushed to take drastic measures when my spouse pushed me into a corner with one demand. But that demand was enough to get me to act.
My husband, Danny, has always been a devoted father and a successful businessman. He’s provided well for our family and spends lots of time at the office. This has given me the freedom to be a stay-at-home mother and raise the five beautiful daughters we already share.
But lately, his dreams of having a son “to carry on the family name” have turned into demands. And those demands have morphed into threats!
“Lisa, we NEED to have a sixth child,” he said one night after dinner. His tone was serious, almost cold.
“Danny, we already have FIVE daughters. You want me to keep having babies until we get a son?” I replied, feeling the tension rise.
“But aren’t children a blessing to you? Is it really that hard?” His words stung. We’ve had this argument many times before, but this time it felt different. It felt like an ultimatum. We continued going round in circles with neither of us willing to relent on their choices.
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