Originally published: 10 August 2012
However, they defied all odds and 22 years later have turned into successful young women with degrees, driving licences and a healthy interest in boys and shopping.
When conjoined twins Abigail and Brittany Hensel were born on the 7th March 1990, they were not expected to last the night. However, they defied all odds and 22 years later have turned into successful young women with degrees, driving licences and a healthy interest in boys and shopping.
'Each twin controls their half of the body opeating one arm and one leg, although they each have their own spine, heart, stomach and lungs'
Abigail and Brittany were born each with a separate head, but sharing one body. Each twin controls their half of the body operating one arm and one leg, although they each have their own spine, heart, stomach and lungs. The matter becomes even more complex when it comes to boys as, with the exception of the spinal cord, all of the girls’ organs located at or below the level of the navel are shared.
Upon birth and throughout their childhood, their parents have rejected the option of surgical separation as it was not thought likely that both of the twins would survive. Growing up, the siblings faced the extra challenge of learning to crawl, walk, run and drive using their coordinated efforts.
Although Brittany, the left twin, can't feel anything on the right side of the body and the right twin, Abigail can't feel anything on her left, they now instinctively move their limbs as if synchronised by one person. Activities such as writing and eating they can do separately, and each has had to pass their own graduate exams and driving licence tests.
'Growing up, the siblings faced the extra challenge of learning to crawl, walk, run and drive using their coordinated efforts'
They have developed their own personalities, opinions and tastes and take it in turns to choose their daily outfit.
The girls were first thrust into the media spotlight at the age of 6 when they appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.
Besides a documentary and a follow up programme called ‘Abby and Brittany turn 16’, they twins have stayed out of the media spotlight. They have now landed a reality show named ‘TLC’ which is due to air in August. The show will follow the girls graduating from university, job hunting and travelling Europe with their friends.
There are only four other cases of conjoined twins who have survived into adulthood as the condition brings various medical complications , yet the Hensels continue to defy expectations by continually being diagnosed as healthy and happy twins.