The Heartbreaking True Story Of Conjoined Twins Abby And Brittany Hensel
Abby and Brittany are twin sisters who have shared everything...including a body. That's right, Abby and Brittany are conjoined twins. The pair have endured multiple surgeries, countless doctor visits, and hundreds of medical tests. In the end, these two decided that they couldn't live without each other, even if that means that they had to live with each other.
Some days are harder than others but Abby and Brittany continue to defy the odds. Read on to learn the shocking news that doctors revealed and see what they look like today.
They Share Some Body Parts, But Not Others
Abby and Brittany Hensel were born in rural Minnesota in 1990. These two are identical twins, which means that a single embryo split in two very early in their development. In Abby and Brittany's case, the embryo only split partially, so they never had two separate bodies.
Abby and Brittany each have their own heart, lungs, spines, stomachs, esophagus, gallbladder and kidneys, but they share a uterus, two ovaries, a liver, a rib cage, intestines, and their circulatory system.
These Two Survived Against All Odds
The prognosis looked grim for Abby and Brittany on the day they were born. Most doctors involved in their care informed their parents that they probably wouldn't survive the night. Surprisingly, these two little girls beat the odds.
Only one percent of conjoined twins survive for more than a day. Sometimes, one twin can be given a greater chance of survival if a separation procedure is attempted. Doctors were confident that the twins wouldn't survive a separation surgery.
They're The Rarest Dicephalus Twins In The World
Abby and Brittany are dicephalic twins, which means that they have two heads that sit beside one another on a shared torso. In Greek, "dicephalic" means "two-headed." In most cases of human dicephalic twins, one of the heads is much less developed than the other. Sometimes one or both of the babies are stillborn. It is extremely rare for a pair of dicephalic twins to have two functional, alert heads.
There are only three reported cases of human dicephalic twins who survived into adulthood.
One Can Be Healthy While The Other Is Sick
Even though Brittany and Abby share many of their lower organs, they have completely separate immune systems. That means that Brittany can be totally healthy while Abby is sick, or vice versa. Brittany has had pneumonia twice in her life and Abby has never had pneumonia.
These two generally like being conjoined. They've never known anything else. However, they have admitted that one of the few times they wished they could live separate lives was when one of them got sick and they both had to be bedridden.
Their Parents Taught Them To Be Themselves
Abby and Brittany were lucky that they were born to such amazing parents. Their mother, Patty, explained, “When children ask the girls if they have two heads, they say they don't, but that each has their own head. That's what we have encouraged them to do, to develop their own individuality as much as possible."
The twins' mother and father always treated Brittany and Abby as two separate people. They disciplined them separately, catered to their individual needs, and made sure that they each felt heard and appreciated.
Their Personalities Are Totally Different
Even though Brittany and Abby share a body, their minds are all their own. They have their own personalities, quirks, and preferences. Abby prefers feminine colors and styles while Brittany is more of a tomboy. That can make dressing their shared body quite difficult, but these two have managed to make it work.
Sometimes they get clothes tailored to their specific tastes and measurements, where half of the garment is in line with Brittany's style, and half is more suited to Abby's tastes.
These Two Lead Very Active Lives
It can be difficult to maneuver one body, let alone one and a half. These two have had to work together to become mobile. Abby's nervous system is limited to the right side of the twins' body, and Brittany's is limited to the left. Abby can feel and move the body parts on the right, and Brittany can feel and move the body parts on the left.
In an astonishing feat of co-ordination, these two have learned how to swim, play basketball, bowl, play piano, and even drive.
Childhood In The Public Eye
Because Abby and Brittany's condition is so rare, the public was interested in them from the time that they were born. When they were just six years old, they appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. That television appearance was just the beginning of their life in the public eye. They ended up on the cover of Life magazine, and they've done a few television specials for the Discovery Channel, TLC, and the BBC.
They even got their own reality television series on TLC.
Their Morning Routine
Simple things like getting ready in the morning take a lot of thought and coordination when you're one half of a pair of conjoined twins. Brittany and Abby have learned how to seamlessly shower, brush their teeth, brush their hair, put on makeup, and start the day.
Neither Brittany nor Abby claims to be a morning person. It takes them a little bit longer to get ready in the morning than the average person, and that can really cut into their sleep time.
Separate But Together
These two attend the same classes at school (obviously), but they excel in very different areas. Abby is good at math and science while Brittany prefers creative writing. They also interact with their peers quite differently. Abby is more outspoken while Brittany is quiet and shy.
Even though they're different in a lot of ways, bot girls enjoy playing volleyball, going to the movies, riding bikes, and playing musical instruments. Abby said, "When it comes to decisions, there are compromises we have to make. We take turns. We want to work it so each of us is happy and we find a happy medium."
A Special Bond Between Sisters
Brittany and Abby have worked hard to be seen as two separate individuals, but sometimes they're so in tune with each other that it is almost like they're one person. They write and respond to emails as though they're one person, and they can also usually tell what the other is feeling or thinking.
You can chalk it up to crossed brainwaves or twin telepathy, but Brittany and Abby swear they've just gotten to know each other really well after literally spending every moment together since the day they were born.
An Uncertain Future
When Brittany and Abby were born, doctors didn't expect them to survive. These two didn't just survive, they've managed to thrive as conjoined twins. Even though they're coping with their physical limitations, they still run into health issues quite regularly.
They've had several surgeries to fix the curve of their spine, but they might need more surgeries in the future. Doctors are also concerned about heart problems in the future. Only time will tell what the future holds for these two sisters.
They Are Committed To Teaching Others
TLC filmed a documentary about Brittany and Abby when the twins were sixteen years old. Both Brittany and Abby wanted the public to know more about their condition and what life is like for conjoined twins.
These two aren't huge fans of media attention or being in the spotlight, but educating others is important to them, so they have become quite vocal about their unique differences. They like to dispell rumors and myths surrounding their condition.
They Prefer Privacy
Even though Brittany and Abby have made a lot of public appearances, and they've been on TV a number of times, they still prefer to lay low. They enjoy spending time with their family and their tight-knit community in rural Minnesota.
They especially hate when people try to sneak photos of them while they're out in public. They're more than happy to pose for a photo if they're asked nicely, though. Asking permission is the key.
Abby And Brittany Learned To Drive
Learning to drive is a huge moment in any person's life, but for Brittany and Abby, learning to drive gave them a sense of independence that they didn't have before. They each passed the written portion of the driving test individually, and then they completed the practical portion of the test together. They did have to take the driving test twice, though.
Their mother, Patty, admitted to feeling a little confused about the whole situation saying, “I don’t know what would happen if they got pulled over for speeding. Would they each get a ticket or just Abby because it’s her foot on the accelerator?”
They Graduated From College
We already know that Brittany and Abby are passionate about educating the public, but they're also passionate about education in general. Both Abby and Brittany graduated from Bethel University with a degree in education. Since graduating, they've moved out of their parents' home and they're navigating the world on their own, but with each other. Brittany explained, "We were raised to believe we could do anything we wanted to do."
These two continue to beat the odds year after year.
Brittany And Abby Traveled The World
These two sisters never let their physical differences hold them back. They decided to travel the world with their friends after they graduated from college. Abby and Brittany can share a single plane ticket, but they do have separate passports.
TLC followed Abby and Brittany to Europe in 2012 and documented their journey across the pond. These two are living totally normal lives, and that's what they wanted audiences to see more than anything else.
They Always Have Separate Birthday Cakes
Abby and Brittany have very different preferences when it comes to food. They do have separate stomachs, after all. Each year, they get separate birthday cakes for their birthdays because Abby likes vanilla and Brittany likes chocolate. These two do have to help each other eat their cakes though because they always have to coordinate their arm movements. It's easier to use a knife and fork with two hands.
There are some foods that they both like. Abby and Brittany both enjoy eating hamburgers.
Marriage Plans And Romance Questions
Abby and Brittany are confident that one day they will each be able to get married and have a family. Their families are definitely going to be intertwined because Brittany and Abby share a reproductive system. So far, they haven't been able to find suitable mates, but they're optimistic about finding eligible bachelors in the future.
Doctors and therapists are on standby to help the girls through this stage in life when it arises for them.
Abby And Brittany Are Teachers
At 27 years old, Brittany and Abby began working as elementary school teachers. During lessons, one twin observes the fifth-grade class while the other gives the lesson. Because they always work together, the girls receive the salary of a single person.
“As maybe experience comes in we’d like to negotiate a little bit, considering we have two degrees and because we are able to give two different perspectives or teach in two different ways. One can be teaching and one can be monitoring and answering questions,” said Brittany. “So in that sense, we can do more than one person,” she added.
The First Documented Case Of Conjoined Twins
Conjoined twins Ronnie and Donnie were born in Dayton, Ohio on October 28th, 1951. Typically, conjoined twins don't live for longer than 24 hours, but Ronnie and Donnie defied the odds. These two are joined from sternum to groin.
Just like Abby and Brittany, these two learned how to live together, coordinate their movements, and educate others about their condition. Unlike Abby and Brittany, Ronnie and Donnie are not dicephalic. They have separate torsos, and four full arms instead of two.
The Beginning Of Their Lives
Surprisingly, Ronnie and Donnie Galyon weren't born via c-section. Their biological mother gave birth to them naturally, but she didn't want to keep the babies. She left them at the hospital to be cared for by their father, Wesley, and later their stepmother, Mary.
The boys needed a lot of medical attention early in life and spent their first two years of life in and out of hospitals. At first, doctors thought about separating the twins, but because they share a single reproductive and urinary system doctors agreed that it would be best to leave them conjoined.
A Surprising Twist Of Events
Ronnie and Donnie's parents didn't even know they were expecting twins when the boys were born. Donnie came out head first, and then Ronnie followed feet first. The two boys have separate hearts and separate stomachs. They were also born with their own sets of arms and legs, but because of the way they're connected, they've been facing each other their whole lives.
Ronnie and Donnie are now in their 60s, and they've spent every day of their lives literally attached at the hip.
Something Of A Circus Act
The boys' father wasn't exactly thrilled about his sons becoming a spectacle for the entertainment of others, but when he found himself in some financial trouble, he decided to turn his children into a traveling act.
Ronnie and Donnie were already attracting attention wherever they went, so their father thought that they may as well get paid if people were going to stare at them anyway. They started appearing in carnivals and festivals across the country.
This Circus Act Wouldn't Fly Today
Now, treating people with physical differences as circus acts is seen as taboo and offensive, but back in the '60s, that wasn't the case. Human oddities could be found at pretty much any carnival or state fair. "Freak Shows" also allowed people with different physical abnormalities to meet each other and form a community.
Ronnie and Donnie learned how cruel people could be when they were quite young, but they also developed a thick skin.
Feeling Like Outcasts
Eventually, Ronnie and Donnie reached an age at which other children would attend school. Their father decided that it would be best for them to go to school just like all of the other children. Unfortunately, schools in their area wouldn't let the boys attend because they thought Ronnie and Donnie would be a distraction to the other children.
When they went to carnivals, they were treated like stars. Everybody knew who they were and valued their presence. They even made friends with some of the other human oddities.
Donnie And Ronnie Were Making Money
Pretty soon, Ronnie and Donnie were the primary breadwinners in their family thanks to their circus act. The twins' father and stepmother had nine children in total, and Ronnie and Donnie made enough money to support everyone.
“That was the only income. They were the breadwinners,” Jim, their youngest brother, said. Although the money was good while it lasted, we all know what became of sideshows and freak shows. This source of income wasn't going to be reliable forever.
Taking Their Act Elsewhere
As time went on, it became politically incorrect to treat people with physical deformities, limitations, disabilities, and differences as attractions to be stared at. People started to become more socially conscious in the '70s, which meant that the Galyon twins were out of a job.
They decided to tour Latin America where attitudes about human oddities were still quite lax. They toured with Circo Union in Mexico for a while and continued to make money that way.
Fame Isn't All Fun And Games
Ronnie and Donnie liked being treated like rock stars at carnivals, but sometimes they weren't treated very nicely by people in public. Being denied an education was just the beginning for these two. People would harass them on the street, or call them and harass them over the phone.
Some people just enjoyed putting other people down— especially people who looked or seemed different. Ronnie and Donnie just had to roll with the punches, even though they were afraid.
They Had To Call The Police
The harassment became such an issue that Ronnie and Donnie were forced to call the local authorities for help. The twins retired their sideshow act in 1991 and moved to a home in Dayton, Ohio. The kids in their new neighborhood would try to look into their windows and spit on their house.
Their younger brother Jim said, “the sheriff told the whole school in no uncertain terms that the behavior would not be tolerated and that they would be prosecuted."
They've Gotten Into Fights With Each Other
It's near impossible to live with someone face to face for your whole life and never get into an argument. These two have had to exist closer than any two brothers should have to. Even though these two generally get along, they have gotten into some verbal and physical fights in the past.
They used to get into more fights, but now that they're older and they've been through some hard times together, they don't fight as much.
A Near-Fatal Health Scare
In 2009, Ronnie developed blood clots in his lungs due to a virus that he had contracted. The virus was so bad that it spread to Donnie as well. They both had to be hospitalized, and after some intensive medical attention, they recovered. Ever since then, the twins have had to be on blood thinners so they don't develop any more clots.
Once they began taking blood thinners, they realized that they had to stop fighting because any injury would affect both of them.
A Scientific Study
In 1988, a scientist by the name of J. David Smith wrote a book called Psychological Profiles of Conjoined Twins. The book went into detail about some of the tests that were conducted on the twins. Smith discovered that even though Ronnie and Donnie have average IQs, they seem less bright because they never had an education.
He also discovered that Ronnie and Donnie both have anger issues, which makes sense because they've both initiated fights with each other from the time that they were young.
The Extent Of Their Anger Issues
In his book, David Smith wrote, "it was more difficult to assert individual independence as a teenager when joined physically to a counterpart." Asserting independence is a huge part of human development, and Ronnie and Donnie couldn't do that like everybody else.
This may have contributed to their anger issues. One time, Donnie even broke his foot when he kicked a trailer out of anger when the twins were 14 years old. The brothers had to learn how to control their rage.
They Were Featured In World New Weekly
Before the twins left the sideshow business, an old newspaper called World New Weekly did a feature on them. The article was titled "The Battling Galyons."
The newspaper added the term "battling" in there as a reference to all of the twins' fights and arguments. In the article, they're pictured holding rifles, because the journalist who wrote about them thought that one might end up shooting the other. That never actually happened, but Donnie did give Ronnie a black eye once.
Living Life As Conjoined Twins
Even though Donnie and Ronnie are conjoined, they still have separate social security numbers, and they each get to vote in national and state-level elections. These two really like to travel, and when they do travel, they only have to bring one passport.
They have hired someone to help them around the house in their old age, and people are less cruel than they once were. They don't get harassed as much anymore and they're able to live their lives in peace.
A Helping Hand
Ronnie and Donnie have been through some tough times together, and in the past they only had each other to lean on, but after their health scare in 2009, the brothers received a huge helping hand. A Christian Youth Group helped build a space for Ronnie and Donnie at their brother's home after they were released from the hospital.
The twins were getting older, and they needed help getting around. Living with their brother and his wife was the best possible option for them moving forward.
The Kindness Of Others
That Christian Youth Group didn't just build an addition onto the twins' brother's home, they also took the time to get to know Ronnie and Donnie. They were kind to the twins and genuinely interested in their life story. They treated Ronnie and Donnie with kindness and even took them out for a few meals.
Even though Ronnie and Donnie used to fight all the time, these two really are best friends. They've been offered different separation procedures over the years, and they have always turned them down.
They Became The Longest-living Conjoined Twins
In 2014, Ronnie and Donnie officially became the longest-living conjoined twins in history. That year they turned 63, the age at which the previous record holders passed away. Ronnie and Donnie celebrated by taking a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
On their 63rd birthday, they ate breakfast at the Golden Nugget Cafe. The staff at the restaurant celebrated their milestone along with them. The cafe owner said, “I love them because they’ve taken something that most of us couldn't deal with and they are like kings and beautiful people.”
What The Future Holds For Ronnie And Donnie
Ronnie and Donnie's younger brother Jim acknowledged that becoming the longest living conjoined twins was definitely a goal for his siblings. Jim said, "It's a lifelong dream, and they are absolutely loving it."
These twins are doing everything they can to live healthy lives for as long as possible. Jim's wife Mary said, "a day doesn't go by that I don’t hear 'I love you' and 'Thank you.' If you spend time around them, you can't help but love them."
