A conjoined twin revealed how she made intimacy work with a partner.
Lori and George Schappell were born in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1961, and became known for defying the odds by surpassing 30 years old and leading independent lives.
They had partially fused skulls, shared vital blood vessels, and 30 percent of their brains.
The siblings made headlines in 2007 when George, originally known as Dori, announced he was transgender, making them the first set of conjoined twins to identify as different genders.
Before passing in early 2024, Lori and George were known for opening up in great detail about their personal lives.
Although the siblings were conjoined, with Lori being 5ft 1in and able-bodied and George being 4ft 4in and suffering from spina bifida, they lived relatively normal lives and functioned separately where possible.
They could get through everyday tasks individually, with Lori preferring to shower in the evenings and George in the mornings.
The two even had separate careers, with Lori becoming a bowling champion and George pursuing country music.
Despite living separate lives where possible, the brother and sister were adamant they didn’t want to be separated.
Although there were advancements in surgery, Lori and George didn’t pursue such ideas.
In an interview with the LA Times, Lori said: “I don’t believe in separation, I think you are messing with God’s work.”
She added: “I don’t wake up thinking, ‘Oh, I’m a conjoined twin.’ I have two arms and two legs. I’m just a regular person… I live a normal life.”
The conjoined twins had very separate personalities, while Lori enjoyed eating out at restaurants and would be happily interviewed, her brother preferred a quiet life.
“We’re so different, it’s not even funny,” Lori told the LA Times.
Lori was also candid about her dreams of starting a family, expressing a desire to become a mother and ‘go through the morning sickness, the everyday ups and downs.’
In 2006, Lori was reportedly engaged yet in a tragic twist of fate, her fiancé died in a motor vehicle accident.
In an interview with The Sun, Lori opened up about having relationships as a conjoined twin.
She revealed she lost her virginity to her second boyfriend at 23 years old and that her brother was supportive of her dating life.
She told the publication: “When I go on dates, George would bring along books to read and as we don’t face each other, he could ignore any kissing.
“I don’t see why being a conjoined twin should stop me having a love life and feeling like a woman.”
George weighed in, adding: “They can do whatever they do and I’ll act like I’m not even there. I would block out.”
Before this interview, the pair appeared on The Jerry Springer Show, where George said he ‘wasn’t there in my mind’ when his sister went on a date.
“I didn’t look at anything or say anything,” he said.
Lori and George sadly passed away on April 7, 2024, aged 62. Their causes of death have yet to be made public.
