Although they’re the best of friends, they have unique personalities, interests and life goals. Sometimes, they even wear pants with slightly different colors on each leg so that each twin is able to choose her own outfit. Brittany is shorter than Abby, so it’s more comfortable that way. Especially for special occasions, they get their clothes custom-tailored so that the neckline can fit evenly at each twin’s neck. In subtle ways, they maintain their individuality. Maintaining Individualityīrittany and Abby may be conjoined, but they are two different women. The bottom of their spine, their liver and their reproductive organs are all shared by both twins. That’s why there are two hearts, two brains and four lungs between them. Their bodies are mostly separate above their waist. The twins’ body composition is unique to this type of conjoining. “Parapagus” means that they’re joined at the spine. “Dicephalic” means that each woman has her own head. In addition to being conjoined, Abby and Brittany are especially unique because they’re the only dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins who have survived into adulthood. Their preventative medical intervention will likely allow them to live a long and healthy life. So far, they’re still able to live without major health problems, although they have had individual bouts of pneumonia in the past.
The Hensels also had surgery as preteens to strengthen their respiratory cavity. Brittany is shorter than Abby, and due to the shape of her bones, it’s unlikely that she will ever grow more. One of the major procedures happened in their pre-teens. Necessary SurgeriesĪlthough they’ve decided not to get surgery to separate, the Hensels have had less-complicated surgeries. One day, they could become the world’s oldest conjoined twins. They report that they’re happy and healthy, so they don’t see the need to risk their long-term health to live separately.
It will always be an option for the women, but it’s not one they’re considering.Ībby and Brittany have had almost three decades of practice to learn how to accommodate each other and share a body. As adults, they still have the option of separating, but the same risks are present.
Photo Courtesy: EVG Photo/PexelsĪfter considering all of the risks involved, the twins’ parents decided that a separation surgery wasn’t necessary and wouldn’t benefit the girls. Each twin would also be left with a single arm and a single leg. Separating them would likely mean that one twin would either die or have a significantly worse quality of life than the other. With the exception of their liver and reproductive system, Abby and Brittany each have their own vital organs. Their degrees opened up a variety of opportunities, but they had to decide on a single career. After four years of hard work, the twins graduated in 2012 with two Bachelor of Arts degrees. Where Will They Work?Īfter much deliberation, Abby and Brittany decided that they would both attend Bethel University in Minnesota, the state where they were raised. They had to decide on one college they could both attend. As they began to plan for a life on two campuses, they realized the schedule would be too hectic. Originally, the girls wanted to attend two different colleges because they each had their hearts set on different careers. This means they have to make plenty of mutual decisions, and deciding what they wanted to do with their lives was one of these difficult choices. Tough DecisionsĪbby and Brittany both have their own vital organs, but they share a single body with one pair of legs and arms.
Since then, the women have broken even more barriers and continue to live incredible lives. Although the world fell in love with the twins, their show only lasted for a single season.