Photo Credit: Shannon Stapleton, Reuters
Lori and George Schappell (born as Lori and Dori Schappell) are conjoined twins who have gained recognition for their unique lives and experiences. Born on September18,1961, in Reading Pennsylvania, Lori and George are joined in the head, a rare condition known as craniopagus twins.
Regardless of their physical connection, Lori and George have distinct personalities interests and abilities. George designed support equipment for people with disabilities and a mobility aid for dogs. He also performed in the United States as a country singer and visited Germany and Japan. In 1997, George won an L.A Music Award for Best New Country Artist.
He sang “Fear of being alone” over the credits of stuck on you, a comedy film about a pair of conjoined twins. On the other hand, Lori acted as George’s facilitator and as a fan of her brother, she paid to attend concerts and made herself invisible while he was performing. She was also a successful bowler.
Lori and George appeared in several television documentaries and talk shows and acted in an episode of the tv series Nip/Tuck in which they played Rose and Raven Rosenberg.
On June 21, 2007, Lori and George took part in a grand opening of “Ripley’s Believe it or not! Odditorium” in Times Square in New York City where they were billed as Lori and George Schappell. They became the first set of twins to identify as different genders according to the Guiness World Records. Despite being craniopagus conjoined twins, the two respected each other's privacy in terms of work time, recreation and relationships.
George was unable to walk due to spina bifida and they spent the first 24 years of their life in an institution for the mentally disabled even though they were fine. In 1998, they lived without assistance in high rise apartments for the elderly in Reading, Pennsylvania and maintained their own private space.
Lori and George navigated life with remarkable resilience, pursing different interests andhobbies while facing the inherent challenges of their condition. Their story has sparked discussions about disability rights, healthcare and the complexities of living with a rare medical condition. While their lives have been marked by unique challenges, Lori and George Schappell's story is one of determination, resilience and the power of human connection in overcoming adversity.
Email @This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
