Abigail and Brittany Hensel live in New Germany, Minnesota. They are Siamese twins with a unique body structure. For two, the girls have two spines, two hearts (the circulatory system is common), two stomachs, three kidneys, three lungs and common genitals.

This is only the fourth case recorded in the scientific archives when twins with such anatomy survived. At the same time, each sister feels touches only to her half of the body and can control only one hand and one leg. Incredibly, they manage to lead a completely normal life.

For 27 years, Abby and Brittany have learned to coordinate movements so well that they do not have to deny themselves something. Without apparent difficulty, they ride a bicycle, swim, play volleyball and the piano, dividing the composition into parts for the left hand and the right. Moreover, the American women even passed their license and are now quietly driving around in their own car.

In addition, the girls also have different heights. Abby is 157 centimeters, and her sister is ten centimeters shorter. Their leg lengths are also different, and Brittany has to wear shoes for more high heels or walk on tiptoe so as not to limp.

In general, there is a lot of surprising in them. “I could have a completely different temperature,” says Abby. "We often feel that our palms are of different temperatures when they touch." Hobbies, characters and tastes also vary. For example, Brittany loves milk, but her sister hates it. When they eat the soup, Brittany won't let her sister sprinkle crackers on half of her.

It often seems to others that girls can read each other's thoughts. It is common for them to finish a sentence started by their sister. In one of the interviews, they recalled a case when one of them asked: "Do you think about the same thing that I am?" It turned out that this was the case, after which the girls turned off the TV and went to read the book. Doctors explain this by the fact that individual parts of their nervous system intersect.

When sisters have a disagreement about what to do, they flip a coin, ask their parents for advice, or prioritize what they want to do. But now it is relatively easy for them to find a compromise, and in childhood, Abby and Brittany even fought.

The girls graduated from the university with two diplomas. Now they teach mathematics in high school. But they get one salary. They have everything in common, even life.

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For 29 years, the unique Siamese twins Abigail and Brittany Hesel, despite physical difficulties, major surgery, the absence of any positive predictions for a healthy life and the surprised looks of passers-by, have been living a full life. By their example, girls prove that you can overcome any difficulties and achieve your dreams, if you really want to.

We are in site plunged into the lives of girls thanks to the documentary film Joined for Life and their own show Abby & Brittany and are ready to introduce you to these cheerful twins.

Sisters' parents were expecting one child

Abby and Brittany were born on March 7, 1990 in Minnesota. The birth of twins was a real surprise for both doctors and parents who were expecting one girl - the ultrasound diagnostics did not even hint at twins or any abnormalities in the baby.

During childbirth, the girls' mother understood that something was going wrong: the doctors panicked and did not show the baby for a long time. When the parents did see the twins, they instantly fell in love, and all the doctors' fears were in vain.

The sisters' lives hung in the balance from the very first minutes - according to statistics, out of 30 million Siamese twins, only one organism survives. Internal organs the rest are denied within the first 24 hours after birth. And, despite the disappointing predictions of the doctors, the twins crossed this threshold and year after year developed as a physically healthy child.

There was no question of dividing the girls: such a decision presupposed either the death of one of them, or the inferiority of both. And the twins themselves were against the operation: they were used to living together, having by themselves loved one who will always understand and support.

The parents did everything to make the sisters feel like normal children, despite the lack of information about their case. The family sent the girls to a regular school, where they learned not to pay attention to sidelong glances and make friends.

Chita Hensel always refused to conduct any experiments on the twins, even if they could predict their further development and health.

How the body of girls works

Two heads, two arms and legs, two spines, three lungs, two hearts, one liver, two stomachs, three kidneys, a common circulatory system and common genitals - the anatomy of girls is unique, and doctors still cannot find an answer like theirs the general organism works so harmoniously.

Each of the twins can only control their own side without feeling the touch of the other. For example, Abby does not feel when someone shakes hands with Brittany, and vice versa. Already in childhood, girls learned to synchronize their movements and coordinate all actions. It was so perfect that they easily learned to play the piano, swim, ride a bike and play sports.

Scientists believe that girls have common neural connections that no other human body has. Therefore, the twins can read each other's minds, write emails without consulting each other, and even end sentences together. By the way, on an intuitive level, the needs of the body also add up: when Abby is thirsty, Brittany begins to feel thirsty, when one wants to fix her hair or makeup, the other helps her.

What is the difference between twins

Problems in the development of such a complex organism are a matter of time. And at the age of 12, Abby and Brittany faced one of them - Abby began to actively grow, the spine began to stretch, which threatened to break the common chest. The doctors had to stop the growth and save the lives of the girls, but Abby still managed to grow 10 centimeters, so Brittany has to constantly stand on her toes.

Visiting a surgeon, neurologist and pediatrician has been a routine for the twins since childhood. And, despite constant examinations, Abby already suffered from pneumonia 2 times, and Brittany had to spend weeks in bed with her sister.

Despite their superficial similarities, Abby and Brittany are completely different in character and personality. Abby is an introvert, loves to spend evenings at home, but loves to command and is afraid of heights. Brittany, in turn, despite the fact that she is silent and thoughtful, happily spends time in the company of friends. By the way, even the girls' gastronomic tastes differ: Abby hates milk, and Brittany drinks it calmly, but flatly refuses meat and fish.

If in childhood girls often quarreled and even once fought, now they quickly come to a compromise. For example, Abby loves purple and Brittany loves gold, so gold shelves are attached to the purple walls of their room.

Choosing clothes can also be difficult - it's hard for twins to find comfortable clothes that everyone would like. By the way, after the purchase, things are hemmed according to their individual size and taste.

The girls agree on one thing - they don't like being photographed without asking or just staring. They don't mind answering strangers' questions or having nice conversations, but people rarely understand this, and sisters have to hide behind their friends too often.

At school, the twins always took exams separately - each was given an individual option and made sure that the girls did not help each other. The twins almost always had different grades - Abby mathematical warehouse mind, Brittany - humanitarian.

The girls were also unlucky with passing the driving license: they had to pass the driving test 2 times along the same route. Abby controlled the pedals and switches, while Brittany watched the turn signals and headlights.

What the sisters are doing now

The university became another challenge for the Hensel sisters, who not only coped with it perfectly, but also once again proved to the whole world that it is possible to lead a normal, active life having only one body for two.

The girls always got along with the children - during school holidays they worked as nannies, so it is not surprising that the twins chose to teach.

By the way, in adolescence girls often said that in the future they would like to start a big family. Doctors claim that they are able to give birth, but this complex issue from a moral point of view, because their body, again, is one for two.

Now the girls have different diplomas, they work in one primary school teaching different subjects: Abby - mathematics and physics, Brittany - literature and history. But girls receive one salary for two, which, of course, is frustrating.

Despite the fact that since 2002 the girls have been under close supervision of the media, a few years ago they decided to stop cooperating with journalists and even abandoned their pages on social networks. Perhaps this decision was made after a rumor that spread all over the Internet that Brittany was engaged.

Other Siamese twins

Despite the fact that Siamese twins are born very rarely - 1 time in every 200 thousand births, the Hensel sisters are not the only example of active and cheerful twins living today.

Shivanath and Shivram Sahu were born in a tiny Indian village in 2002. The brothers have 4 arms, 2 legs, but their torsos are joined at the abdomen. In 2014, the Siamese twins turned down the doctors' offer of separation.

Parents abandoned Laurie and George Chappell immediately after their birth, when they saw the fused heads of children. Despite this, George became a famous country performer, and Laurie was engaged and even played bowling professionally.

Ronnie and Donnie Galion- the oldest Siamese twins in the world (now they are 68 years old). Unfortunately, the brothers were not taken to any of the schools, therefore, illiterate, they had to earn their living by showing their bodies and talking about life in it.

Abby and Brittany Hensel are some of the most famous Siamese twins, especially in the USA, where they even filmed reality shows with them. The 26-year-old sisters conquered the Americans by becoming the embodiment of a very real confrontation between two different personalities, by the will of fate, chained in one body. Yes, Hensel has one body and two heads, which is why they were nicknamed "the girl with two heads." But they have a few more features:

1. They have one body, but different vital organs. Each of the sisters has their own heart, stomach, lungs, and even a spine and spinal cord.

2. Each of them controls its half of the body and one arm and one leg.

3. Because of this, it was difficult for them to learn to crawl, walk, do something with their hands, because it had to be done in a coordinated and synchronous manner.

4. They have different gaits. Brittany walks on tiptoes more often.

5. The sisters' parents immediately refused to separate them, because the doctors did not promise a successful result.

6. When they turned 16, they allowed the TV crew to shoot the first documentary about them, and then the reality show.

7. Together they can walk, run, swim, drive and even ride a bike! They type on the computer. They just learned to cooperate and coordinate their actions. And where to go!

8. To drive a car, each of the twins had to be licensed.

9. Abby and Brittany have completely different personalities. They even sew special clothes to suit everyone's tastes.

10. Abby loves math and Brittany loves literature.

11. In 2012 they graduated from the university.

12. The sisters hope they can find love and have children.

13. The twins say they don't mind being together, but they get very annoyed when they are photographed on the street without permission.

14. At 6 they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

15. Hensel love to play musical instruments, bowling and volleyball.

16. When they go to the theater, they buy two tickets.

17. Since these are two different people, it happens that one is sick and the other is healthy. Brittany has had pneumonia twice already, and Abby has never.

18. They also prepare various cakes for their birthday.

19. Sometimes it's hard to coordinate everything. One may want to eat or sleep, while the other may not.

20. Brittany and Abby work as teachers primary grades with a mathematical bias.

The US state of Minnesota has two amazing girls: Abigail and Brittany Hensel. They are Siamese twins. The girls have a common body, a pair of arms and a pair of legs, but two heads - and two personalities. Despite this, Abby and Brittany live not only full, but also very fulfilling lives: they study, travel, go shopping, drive a car, hang out with friends and work.

The Hensel sisters were born in March 1990 into a family of a nurse and a carpenter, later they had younger brother and sister. Since operations to separate Siamese twins are very dangerous and often lead to the death of one or both children, the parents decided to leave it as it is.

Abby and Brittany graduated from high school and then Bethel University in Minnesota. They graduated from the university at the age of 22, that is, not only not later, but even earlier than many of their peers. The sisters did not seek home work or a position in which they could avoid prying eyes. On the contrary, Abby and Brittany have chosen a profession that requires maximum sociability: an elementary school teacher.

Each of the sisters has their own driver's license, and each passed exams to obtain one. But they drive, of course, together: Abby controls the gas and brake pedals, and Brittany is in charge of the rest of the switches (in fact, one exam could be done).

Abby controls the gas and brake pedals, while Brittany is in charge of the rest of the switches.

When the sisters are going on a trip, they buy one ticket, because they occupy one seat on the plane. This usually does not pose a problem, but being in a confined space with a large number of strangers can be difficult due to the obsessive attention of others and attempts to photograph the sisters.

Abigail and Brittany Hensel are twin sisters living in Minnesota, USA. By the age of 23, they proved to themselves and to the whole world that being in one body and controlling only "their" half, they can lead an absolutely normal, active life. Abby and Brittany graduated from university, traveled a lot around the world, drive a car, got a job - in short, they seem to have nothing to complain about.

Anatomy and physiology

Abigail and Brittany are dycephalus dibrachius parapagus, in other words, they are conjoined twins, who share one body, two heads, two arms and two legs.

Despite the fact that girls have two hearts, separate lungs, two stomachs, one liver, one reproductive system, and each of the twins is responsible only for one side of the body, they subconsciously (with childhood) perfectly learned to coordinate the movements of a common body. This is proved by the video in which the girls drive the car.

Kari, a friend of the twins, admires the well-coordinated work of the twins: “These are two different people who have an amazing ability to work harmoniously together, carrying out basic movements together. For example, I never think about performing these movements, and every day I take them for granted. "

The girls have different heights: Abby (1m 57cm) is 10cm taller than her sister (1m 47cm). Since they also have different lengths of legs, Brittany has to stand on her toes to maintain balance.

Their bodies react differently to coffee. Brittany's heart starts to beat faster after two cups of coffee, Abby's heart doesn't react to caffeine. They have different body temperatures. And each of the girls only feels a touch to her half.

“I can have a completely different temperature, - says Abby, - very often we feel that when our palms touch different temperatures - I very quickly become hot.”

Gemini know each other so well that very often they say the same thing or end sentences for each other. Doctors explain this by the fact that in some places their nervous system intersects.

However, there are a number of significant differences between them. For example, Brittany is afraid of heights, and Abby is not. Abby is interested in mathematics and science, Brittany prefers art.

Facts about conjoined twins:

accrete twins develop from one fertilized egg, therefore they are always of the same sex and outwardly very similar;

conjoined twins - a very rare occurrence - 1 case per 200,000 births;

40-60% of conjoined twins are born dead. Twin women survive more often than men;

it is not known why the embryo did not complete the separation into two identical twins;

Despite advances in medicine, surgical separation of these twins is very rare.

Socialization

Like many 23-year-olds, Abby and Brittany love to hang out with their friends. They play volleyball, go hiking and partying. There is nothing they can deny themselves. They have their own page on social networks.

Abigail and Brittany Hensel recently took part in the reality show "Abby and Brittany", which aired on TLC on August 28, 2013. The television show has followed the lives of Abby and Brittany since graduation and focuses on the job search process and the girls' journey across Europe. The trip overseas was organized for the girls as a gift for graduation from the university.

“Everywhere they go, everyone stares at them,” say the twins' friends. Abby Hensel explains in an interview with People magazine that they have long been accustomed to increased attention from others. “We just ignore this fact,” notes Abby.

Education and career

As alumni from Bethel University, Abby and Brittany are trying to find jobs as an elementary school math teacher.

And although they have two licenses that give them the right to teach, the financial issue is viewed in a slightly different way. “It’s very obvious that we’ll get one paycheck because we’ll do the work of one person,” says Abby.

“As we gain experience, we’ll probably come back to this question, since we have two degrees and we offer two different approaches to learning - one can explain new material while the other can keep order and answer questions, says Brittany, "so in that sense, we do the job for two."

Shopping

“We definitely have different dress preferences,” says Abby. "Brittany likes a neutral or even austere style, while I prefer something more fun, bright and colorful."

Abby always wins the argument about what clothes to wear. Brittany is sure that, despite the colorful outfits, her sister is very similar to a homebody, while she prefers to spend more time outside the house.

Difficulties " life together»

Despite the fact that girls live a normal family and social life, study and work like any other young people, there are a number of issues that they prefer not to discuss. Such questions include the question of their personal life. Abby and Brittany have denied rumors that Brittany was engaged, calling the rumors "a ridiculous joke." Once Brittany said in a television interview that she and Abby want to become mothers, but "have not yet figured out how this can be done."

Traveling to another country is also not an easy test for them. They have two passports, but one plane ticket, as they occupy one seat.

They also always need to be careful in public - very often they become the heroes of unwanted photos. A close friend of the twins, Erin Junkans, emphasizes that girls are always on the alert, because they are never sure how others will react to their appearance and what they can say or do. “I have to make sure they are safe at all times. I always watch how the girls react to the crowd, says Junkans. “In a number of cases, when attention to them exceeds the permissible limit, we are forced to leave this place, and they amaze me with their ability to simply throw it off themselves and continue doing what we came to this or that place for.”

Was the operation possible?

Any operation to separate conjoined twins is a very complex and often dangerous medical procedure. In the case of Abigail and Brittany Hensel, it was a risk that the girls' parents were reluctant to take due to fears that the twins would not survive or that their quality of life after surgery would be significantly different from the quality of life they have today.

A challenge to fate

Today, Abigail and Brittany Hensel are challenging fate. They became the 12th conjoined pair of twins who have reached adulthood. Mom Patty Hansel says that her hopes for the future of her daughters are no different from the hopes for the future of other children: “We decided to take part in the reality show because it’s fun. Plus, we have nothing to hide - you can see who we are and how we live - just like other people. Like any mother, I want my children to be successful, happy and healthy people. They are happy and successful, and that's exactly what I want. "

Abby says: “It's very funny to watch people say, 'Wow, they can do what we do, they have friends, and they are always busy with something. What we do is normal and our life is no different from the life of other people. "

Today, Abby and Brittany are starting their adult lives. They want to enjoy every day and are not going to make far-reaching plans for 10 years ahead.

Working as teachers in elementary school, they not only became an example for their students in academic terms, but also a life example - a living example of overcoming difficulties and gaining the opportunity to live a full life in one body.

“I don’t think there’s anything that they cannot try if they really want to,” says Paul Goode, principal of the school where Abby and Brittany work. - And the most important thing is that they can teach a lesson in survival to children, especially those children who at the moment are on the verge of difficulties and worries - a real struggle for a decent life can only teach a living example. "