Conjoined twins celebrate their 50th birthday

The world’s oldest living conjoined twins have defied doctors’ predictions and reached their 50th birthday.

George and Lori Schappell, who are joined at the head, are about to celebrate their special day.

And the pair are marking the landmark birthday with a trip to London.

Remarkably, the Siamese twins are able to live very different and separate lives, with Lori having had relationships and George — who was originally named Dori — deciding to live life as a man.

Lori is also a champion ten-pin bowler and George performs as a country and western singer.

Lori says: “When we were born, the doctors didn’t think we’d make 30, but we proved them wrong.

“We have learned so much in the last 50 years and will continue living life to the full.”

While Lori, who is 5ft 1in, was born able-bodied, 4ft 4in George suffers from spina bifida, which has caused severe mobility problems.

As George cannot walk, he sits in a wheelchair-type stool which Lori pushes so the two can move together.

George says: “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.”

Although the pair are both single, Lori has dated men. She says: “I lost my virginity at the age of 23 to my second boyfriend.

“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.”

The twins, from Pennsylvania in America, were born sharing 30 per cent of their frontal lobe brain tissue and critical blood vessels, meaning they cannot be separated.

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.