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.
What Happens to Your Nose When Death is Near? The Answer Will Shock You
Death is a topic that many people find mysterious and a bit scary. Throughout history, humans have tried to understand what happens at the end of life. Interestingly, some scientific studies suggest that our sense of smell might help us understand when death is approaching. It seems our nose can provide clues about when death might happen, both by detecting when someone else is nearing death and by losing our sense of smell, which can be a sign of our own health issues.
One interesting thing about our sense of smell is that it might be able to detect when someone else is near death. Many people have shared stories about noticing a particular smell before a loved one passed away. These experiences suggest that there might be a mysterious sixth sense connected to our sense of smell.
Several theories try to explain this interesting phenomenon. One idea is that as the body gets closer to death, it produces certain chemicals or odors that most people cannot smell, but some individuals with a stronger sense of smell can detect. Another theory suggests that our sense of smell is connected to subtle changes in our emotions, helping us sense the upcoming loss of someone we care about. It’s not that we consciously realize we are smelling death; instead, our sense of smell might alert us that it is near.
While there isn’t a lot of scientific proof on this topic, some intriguing studies have been done. For example, researchers at the University of Chicago found that animals like dogs and cats can detect chemical changes in people with specific medical conditions, such as cancer. Similarly, it seems that humans with a keen sense of smell might also sense when death is approaching. There are even stories of animals living in hospitals or care homes that can often predict when a patient is about to pass away.
As we learn more about the human body, we are uncovering new connections and insights into how different systems and senses work together. The sense of smell, often not given as much attention as sight or hearing, appears to play a significant role in predicting when death is near for others and in understanding our future health. More research is needed to confirm these interesting discoveries. Scientists are looking into the chemical changes that happen in the body before death, as well as how problems with the sense of smell might affect overall health and the risk of dying. With a better understanding, we might be able to create diagnostic tools that use our sense of smell, which could lead to timely and potentially life-saving treatments.
The idea that “the body knows when death is near, and it begins in your nose” is an intriguing subject for research. The ability to detect death in others through smell and the loss of smell as a sign of future health creates new opportunities for discovery in medicine and human biology. By studying and utilizing our sense of smell, we could gain important insights into life and death, which may help enhance our overall well-being.
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