Long-Surviving Conjoined Twins Die at 62
Lori and George Schappell, conjoined twins who defied the odds and led separate lives, passed away on April 7 in Philadelphia at the age of 62.
The cause of their death has not been disclosed by the funeral home that made the announcement.
According to Newyork Times, Dr. Christopher Moir, a renowned surgeon from the Mayo Clinic, explained that the bond between conjoined twins is so strong that when one passes away, the other is likely to follow shortly after.
This is due to the shared circulation between them, making it a fatal and nonviable situation unless they are surgically separated.
Despite being born as craniopagus twins, joined at the head, Lori and George surpassed expectations and lived much longer than anticipated.
Their unique condition, where they were connected at the sides of their foreheads and faced opposite directions, did not hinder their determination to live independent lives.
Lori, who was able-bodied, took on the responsibility of pushing George, who had spina bifida, on a wheeled stool. George, originally assigned female at birth, embraced his true identity as a trans man in the 1990s and adopted the name Reba, inspired by the country singer Reba McEntire.
Their story of resilience and individuality serves as a reminder to look beyond their physical connection and recognize them as distinct individuals.
Credited to Newyork Times.
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