Together For Life

Abby and Brittany Hensel Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined, or dicephalus, twins. Not expected to live much past birth, these twins as of 2012 have graduated college, gotten drivers’ licenses and traveled overseas. They have separate heads but their bodies are joined at the pelvis. Several of their vital organs are doubled, but they have their own heart, stomach, spine, and spinal cord. Each twin controls her half of their body. Abby controls the right and Brittany the left. Interestingly neither can feel the opposite side of their bodies. With that being said, their ability to do things in such symmetry is absolutely amazing. They are able to swim, ride a bike, play a piano, type without hesitating or playing catch up on thoughts, drive a car, etc. And although each has their own brain, in watching them speak, you observe that they continuously finish each others’ sentences.
They have graduated college, each with their own degree in teaching. They will however only work one job and receive one salary. Seems unfair for all the hard work each girl put into an education and toward graduating. Many young people faced with something that seems so unfair may cope with life differently than these two amazing girls. I believe a big part of their emotional success is the strong support system they have. They were raised by parents that always encouraged them to develop their own personalities and that disciplined them no differently than they did their brother and sister. They have a big group of friends and have a very active social life including traveling, going to parties, hanging out with their friends and shopping. They seem to do what any girls