A conjoined twin has explained how she and her brother make intimacy work with her boyfriends.
Lori and George Schappell, 62, are currently the oldest conjoined twins in the world, living completely separate lives despite being joined at the head.
While also being the oldest, the duo are actually the first conjoined twins to openly identify as different genders after George (who was born Dori) started living as a man in 2007 after transitioning.
The twins share 30% of their frontal lobe brain tissue, as well as critical blood tissue - but despite being connected physically, Lori and George lead their lives as separately as possible. They identify differently as individuals and both have separate romantic experiences.
The Sun detailed that Lori has previously had boyfriends and that she and her brother found a way to get around the inevitable awkwardness surrounding intimacy.
"I lost my virginity at the age of 23 to my second boyfriend," she told the outlet, adding: "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."
Devastatingly, just four months before Lori was set to tie the knot with her fiancé in 2006, he was reportedly killed by a drunk driver.
The twins took part in an Our Life documentary in 1997, which showcased how the siblings went about their daily lives. During that interview, Lori expressed her desire to have children, saying: "I would love to have myself a family - a husband and children of mine."
At that time, George had not yet transitioned and preferred to be known as Reba because the twins were not so fond of having rhyming names.
The twins, who are joined at the head were born on September 18, 1961, with The Sun explaining that the doctors at the time would not have expected them to live as long as they have. In fact, Lori revealed: "When we were born, the doctors didn't think we'd make 30, but we proved them wrong."
Well, the twins have certainly defied the odds, with Lori going on to become a bowling champion and George even following his passion for performing country music!
