The world has sadly witnessed the passing of the oldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, at the age of 62 in their hometown of Pennsylvania.
Lori and George Schappell, born on 18 September 1961 in Reading, Pennsylvania, shared a unique bond, being conjoined at the skull with separate bodies, with 30% of their brain and essential blood vessels connected.
Their remarkable journey ended on April 7 at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, as reported in their obituary. The cause of their death has not been disclosed
George, who had spina bifida, relied on a mobility device, while Lori took on the role of pushing and steering his wheeled stool, facilitating their movement together. Theirs was the rarest form of conjoined twinning, affecting only 2% to 6% of conjoined twins, as reported by NBC Today.
In 2007, George made history by transitioning, making the Schappells the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders, according to Guinness World Records. During their visit to London in 2011 to commemorate their 50th birthday, George discussed his journey as a transgender man with The Sun, saying: “I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy.”
Both siblings graduated from the Hiram G Andrews Center, pursuing careers at Reading hospital afterward. Despite their physical connection, they pursued individual interests and hobbies. George followed his passion for music as a country singer, entertaining audiences worldwide, while Lori excelled as a tenpin bowler.
Remarkably, the Schappells maintained an independent lifestyle since the age of 24. Initially living in an institution, they later shared a two-bedroom apartment, each sibling having their own room. They highlighted the importance of privacy, revealing that despite their physical attachment, they could still find solitude when needed.
Rejecting the idea of separation, which wasn’t possible during their time, the Schappells embraced their unique bond.
“Would we be separated? Absolutely not,” George said in a 1997 documentary, “My theory is: why fix what is not broken?”