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.
I highly doubt that the post will be read carefully or shared, but I will still make it.
Even though I have a very slim chance of the post being carefully read or shared, I will nevertheless publish it.
Of course, our gratitude and indignation would be overwhelming if the post contained pictures of cats or dogs, which the majority of us adore and take good care of.
But there are no photos of people in their underwear in the post.
Regretfully, our nation’s use of pesticides has resulted in thousands of dead bees. Sadly, this is where our life cycle ends.
We humans will not have more than four years left to live if bees vanish off the face of the Earth one day.
Why do bees rank as the most significant organisms on Earth?
Since we were young children, we have benefited from the exceptional qualities of bee products, and we are all aware of the enormous significance of bees in our daily lives. The following are the findings of research done on their existence:
In the most recent Royal Geographic Society discussion held in London, the Earthwatch Institute came to the conclusion that bees are the most significant living thing on Earth. But experts also declared that bees are now considered insects with a high risk of extinction in addition to this news.
“At most, humanity would only survive for four years if bees disappeared.”
-The late Albert Einstein
Recent studies show that bee populations have decreased by up to 90% globally, with regional variations in the causes. Massive deforestation, a lack of secure nesting locations, a shortage of flowers, careless pesticide usage, altered soil, and a decline in beekeepers are a few of the primary factors.
These insects are essential to almost 70% of global agriculture, and it may be argued that bees are responsible for 70 out of every 100 items that humans eat.
In addition, bee pollination is necessary for plant reproduction, which provides millions of animals with their primary food source. The fauna would eventually start to disappear without it.
Exist answers for this issue?
There are answers, but given the detrimental agricultural and production practices in Romania, they are difficult to apply in today’s society.
However, some expert ideas have been put out with the hopes of being put into practice as quickly as possible:
restricting the use of harmful pesticides, not just outlawing them. The recommendation is to switch to insecticides that don’t harm pollinators.
encouraging all-natural alternatives for farming.
investigating and keeping an eye on bee health, welfare, and conservation on a continuous basis.
encouraging initiatives that allow the public to assist beekeepers and contribute to the bee-saving effort, such as buying organic honey or participating in national initiatives like “Adopt a Hive.” You can take part in this kind of endeavor by using the initiative.
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