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 Wouldn’t Take Any Photos of Me During Our Vacation — His Explanation Stunned Me, but the Way I Got Back at Him Brought Him to Tears
Hannah, your story is incredibly powerful, and I can imagine how painful that betrayal must have been. Your reaction to the hurtful discovery feels justified, given the situation. Luke’s comments were deeply disrespectful and showed a lack of compassion, especially toward someone he should value and support. His response after learning about the inheritance confirmed he wasn’t committed to your well-being but rather saw your financial gain as a means for himself.
By choosing to leave and focus on your happiness and self-worth, you demonstrated strength and resilience. Your decision to prioritize self-care, pursue activities that fulfill you, and remain firm about ending the relationship shows a commitment to creating a healthy, positive environment for you and your children. Even if others might suggest alternative ways of handling things, staying true to yourself and ensuring that you and your kids are in a loving, supportive atmosphere is a powerful choice.
If anything, this experience has given you a renewed sense of your value and the understanding that a relationship should be a partnership rooted in respect. You handled a difficult situation with courage, and sharing your journey might even inspire others going through similar hardships to recognize their worth.
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