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.
Why Kate Middleton Is Still Not Appearing to the Public After Her Surgery
Buckingham Palace shared news about King Charles and Kate Middleton’s medical procedures, but they did it in different ways. For King Charles, they told everyone before his operation. But for Kate, they waited until after her surgery to tell people. And now even weeks after her surgery, Kate is still not appearing to the public, and here’s why.
Why Kate’s surgery was kept a secret?
The palace source stated, “It was sensible to be more open about it, as otherwise, people might have thought the worst.”
The choice to announce King Charles’ medical procedure ahead of time was to prevent rumors and concerns. They believed being transparent would foster a supportive atmosphere.
In contrast, they held off on revealing news about Kate’s surgery to respect her privacy during the procedure.
Where is the Princess of Wales now?
Regarding Princess Kate’s abdominal surgery, a royal insider reported that she’s “doing well.” She spent 10 to 14 days in the hospital and will require three months of recuperation at home. Although the palace didn’t specify her condition, they assured her it was not cancer.
Weeks after her operation, Kate has still not made a public appearance. It is reported that the reason for this is because the Princess of Wales has moved from her home at Adelaide Cottage to Sandringham in Norfolk.
Her decision to stay at the Royal Family’s country estate, Sandringham, during the kids’ half-term break, is seen as a positive sign of Princess Kate’s ongoing recovery from her abdominal surgery.
Moreover, the fact that Wales has opted to spend quality time together has been praised as a clear indication of Kate’s “steady recovery”.
The source explained that Norfolk provides the family with the expansive, open spaces they seek, away from the intrusive Heathrow flight path experienced in Windsor. Additionally, there are friends in Norfolk, such as the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, with whom they can enjoy some leisure time.
Céline Dion, another cherished public figure, has recently been facing health challenges. Several months back, updates about her health were shared by the star’s sister, sparking deep concern among fans.
Preview photo credit DANIEL LEAL/AFP/East News, DANIEL LEAL/AFP/East News
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