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.
Adele stands up for a fan who was harassed by security at her show and lets him sing
Adele showed her unwavering commitment to her fans at a recent concert at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas when she intervened on behalf of a fan who was being harassed by security guards. During their performance, fan Juan Pablo Lastra stood and sang along as security repeatedly asked him to sit down.
Noticing the fan’s distress, Adele interrupted the performance of her song “I Drink Wine” to address the issue. From the stage she asked: “Why is this young fan being harassed for just standing up? What is the problem?” She then told security to leave Juan alone and assured him: “You won’t be bothered anymore, darling. Just enjoy the show”.
Juan, who recorded the concert with a 360-degree camera, captured Adele’s supportive gesture. His footage quickly went viral on TikTok, receiving over a million views across various posts. After Adele’s intervention, the guard stood down and a senior security official assured Juan that he could remain standing.
The audience responded with cheers, showing their appreciation for Adele’s actions. This moment occurred during her stint on “Weekends With Adele” and reflected her genuine concern for her fans.
Check out the video below to witness Adele’s touching moment of support.
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