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.
Bull has spent his entire life behind bars, and the sight of his newfound freedom is truly a breathtaking moment
In a touching video, a bull that had spent nearly his entire life in chains finally experiences freedom. The moment is beyond words.
This story serves as a reminder that we should pay more attention to the treatment of farm animals, like cattle and pigs, and show them the same compassion given to pets. As Rolling Stone once pointed out: “Every state has laws against cruelty to house pets, but few protect farm animals”. Sadly, this rings truer than ever today. Still, there are many compassionate people working tirelessly to help neglected farm animals.
In this case, a dedicated team managed to release a bull named Bandit after years in captivity. Bandit’s reaction to his newfound freedom is nothing short of incredible, he leaps with joy, savoring the experience. The video, originally posted by the German YouTube channel Gut Aiderbichl, has since captured over 30 million hearts worldwide.\
When a sanctuary volunteer first steps into Bandit’s stable, the bull responds with gentle licks to his hand, visibly emotional. Just moments later, Bandit finally tastes freedom, and his exuberant leaps and kicks reveal his happiness and new vitality.
Today, Bandit has found a new forever home where he can live in peace. Watch this heartwarming moment in the video below!
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