Annie Walton Doyle
A conjoined twin who came out as transgender confessed that he ‘kept the desire hidden’ from his sister for decades.
Lori and George Schappell, from Pennsylvania, US, were craniopagus twins – meaning they shared 30% of their frontal lobe brain tissue and crucial blood vessels.
They defied the odds and became the oldest living conjoined twins globally before their passing aged 62 earlier this year.
Over a decade ago, George revealed he identified as male – at one point, this was something he even withheld from his sister.
Lori was 5ft 1in and able-bodied while George, who was 4ft 4in, suffered from spina bifida, rendering him unable to walk.
His sister would assist him by pushing a wheelchair-like stool to facilitate their mobility.
Despite such challenges, the pair said they didn’t want to be separated.
When asked in one documentary, George responded: “Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?”
Likewise, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Lori said: “I don’t believe in separation. I think you are messing with God’s work.”
The twins found ways to have relatively normal lives – they lived in a two-bedroom flat, would shower individually and have separate hobbies.
They would ‘zone out’ when the other pursued interests by reading or listening to music.
While Lori reportedly excelled in ten-pin bowling and experienced working in a hospital laundry room, George pursued being a country and western singer.
“It’s the little things that intrigue people the most,” he was documented saying. “I don’t drink but Lori loves a vodka and orange occasionally. She can feel terrible with a hangover and I’ll feel absolutely fine as our bodies are completely separate.”
Lori reportedly said: “Just because we cannot get up and walk away from each other, doesn’t mean we cannot have solitude from other people or ourselves.”
Despite their unique circumstances, Lori was determined to have a romantic life.
She said: “When I went 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.”
Lori also dreamt of marrying and starting a family.
Referring to if Lori was to have a partner, George added: “They can do whatever they do and I’ll act like I’m not even there. I would block out.”
George would open up about his dreams and truth in 2007.
The twins, formerly known as Lori and Dori, underwent a significant transition when Dori revealed he identified as male and adopted the name George.
This made them the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify with different genders.
In an interview with The Sun, George said he always knew the truth about his gender and that he had previously kept it ‘hidden – even from Lori’.
He admitted: “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 s** hidden – even from Lori – for many years.”
George added it was ‘so tough’ but he ‘simply didn’t want to live a lie’, and Lori supported his truth.
She commented: “Obviously it was a shock when Dori changed to George, but I am 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.”
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