Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined twins who have beaten the odds since their birth and continue to inspire people as they turn 27 years old. They are known as dicephalic parapagus twins, which means that they have two heads but their bodies are unified. Only 11 percent of conjoined twins are dicephalic parapagus, making Abby and Brittany‘s survival even more remarkable.
The twins have double of each organs, including two stomachs, two hearts, and four lungs, but they share their lower half, which means they only have one reproductive system. Each girl controls one arm and one leg, and they have had to overcome many challenges with coordination in order to perform everyday activities such as walking, swimming, and driving.
Their amazing story has gained national attention, and they have been featured on the cover of Life magazine, as well as on the Oprah Winfrey Show. They were also the subject of a documentary called Joined for Life and had their own series called Abby & Brittany, which aired in 2012.
After graduating from high school, Abby and Brittany attended Bethel University, where they studied education. They went on to become math specialists for fourth and fifth-grade classes. According to their mother, Patty, the twins had different career aspirations when they were younger. One wanted to be a pilot and the other a dentist, but they both discovered a natural talent for teaching.
Their principal explained that hiring conjoined twins was “uncharted territory” and had to seek advice from human resources before hiring them. However, he quickly realized that the girls were exceptional young women who deserved the job. He also helped to welcome them to the school community by sending letters and reintroducing them during an open house.
Despite the attention they received when they were younger, Abby and Brittany live extremely low-profile lives today. They share a fifth-grade classroom in a public school district just an hour from their hometown.
Abby and Brittany’s story is truly remarkable, and their resilience and determination have inspired countless people. They have overcome challenges that most people couldn’t even imagine, and they continue to defy the odds every day. Their story reminds us that anything is possible if we have the courage and determination to persevere.
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Source: AWM
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