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.
Rescue Takes In Severely Matted Dog Who Looks Like a Wig — Today She’s Unrecognizable
A dog named Pear was in big trouble—she was found all covered in messy fur, so much that she looked like a wig! Luckily, a rescue called Mac’s Mission in Missouri stepped in to help her out. When they found her, Pear didn’t even look like a dog; she looked more like a big clump of hair.
The rescue team gave Pear a special “spa session” to get rid of all the tangled and dirty fur. They cleaned her up, shaved off the messy hair, and gave her a nice bath to make sure she was free from grime and fleas.
The rescue founder, Rochelle Steffen, mentioned that Pear was a very good and patient girl throughout the process, sitting calmly while they worked on her. Luckily, Pear didn’t have any maggots in her fur, and she was also fortunate not to have been hit by a car. However, she was missing an eyeball, probably from an older injury.
After all the care and grooming, Pear looked completely different! The rescue shared pictures of Pear before and after her makeover, and it was truly amazing to see the transformation. Thanks to the efforts of Mac’s Mission and their supporters, Pear now has a new and beautiful life ahead of her.
The rescue expressed gratitude to everyone who helped, highlighting that Pear’s incredible makeover wouldn’t have been possible without their support. It’s heartwarming to see how a little love, care, and a haircut can make such a big difference in a dog’s life.
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