Conjoined twin admitted he hid his true gender from his sister for most of his life
A conjoined twin admitted he hid his true gender identity from his sister for most of his life.
Lori and George Schappell were born in Pennsylvania in 1961. They had partially fused skulls and shared vital blood vessels, as well as 30 percent of their brains.
The twins lived for 62 years, and they passed away on 7 April 2024, defying doctors' predictions that they wouldn't live past the age of 30.
Prior to their death, Lori and George held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living conjoined twins, a title they'd held since 2022.
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Despite sharing part of their brain and being attached at the head, George kept a secret from Lori for most of their lives.
George - who was assigned female at birth and named Dori - revealed to The Sun in 2010: "I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy.
"I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden - even from Lori - for many years."
After coming out as a trans man in 2007, he changed his name and began to finally live as his true gender identity.
"It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn’t want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted," he said.
While Lori admitted it was an initial 'shock' when George first broke the news to her, she has since said she is 'so proud' of him.
"It was a huge decision but we have overcome so much in our lives and together we are such a strong team. Nothing can break that," she added.
During their lives, Lori went on to become a champion ten-pin bowler and George performed as a country singer.
George added: "Most people don’t believe us but we do have very normal lives.
"We travel, tidy our flat and Lori has even had a boyfriend. Nothing stops us doing what we want."
The twins also lived independent lives after moving out of their parents' place at 21.
Lori explained: "Now we have a two-bedroom flat and alternate the nights we sleep in each other’s rooms.
"My room is much more girly and reflects my personality, while George’s has all his music posters."
In a 1997 documentary, they were asked if they’d ever be separated.
George said: "Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?"
Bec Oakes