Inspiring Dicephalus Twins: Unbelievable Capabilities

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In summary, the conversation focuses on the incredible abilities and inspiring lives of conjoined twins Abigail and Brittany Hensel. Despite sharing a body, the 18-year-old twins have learned to coordinate and live an active lifestyle, even passing their driving test with each sister using one arm to control the steering wheel. They have two spines, hearts, and stomachs, but share one liver and ribcage, as well as a nervous system. Doctors have warned of potential health complications, but the twins have defied all odds and continue to thrive.
  • #1
Ryan_m_b
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I'm stunned by these twins, I've never seen such capable conjoined twins! Absolutely amazing and inspiring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K57IcN9DWXo&feature=g-vrec
 
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  • #2
It really is amazing. Each girl controls one side of the body - one leg, one arm. Yet they've learned to coordinate in order to walk, run and even ride a bicycle.
 
  • #3
Evo said:
It really is amazing. Each girl controls one side of the body - one leg, one arm. Yet they've learned to coordinate in order to walk, run and even ride a bicycle.
It really is amazing, they coordinate so well and live such active lives. There's a bit later in the video where they tie knots in a shirt quickly without talking at all.
 
  • #4
It looks like their gist for life makes them enjoy life to the full.
Inspiring.
 
  • #5
Here's some more information about these twins.
The Sun,UK, Sunday, August 19, 2012

Abigail and Brittany Hensel, Teenagers who defied all medical odds to live
by LYNSEY HAYWOOD

Last Updated: 22nd June 2010

Teenagers Abigail and Brittany Hensel prove that twins CAN share a body and live an active and happy life.

They have even passed their driving test with each sister using one arm to control the steering wheel.

The 18-year-old dicephalus twins have two spines, which join at the pelvis, two hearts and stomachs, three kidneys, two gall bladders and four lungs.

But they share one liver and ribcage and a nervous system.

Below the waist all organs including intestines, bladder and reproductive organs are shared.

Each twin controls one side of the body and they can play the piano, swim, ride a bike and take part in sports.

The Hensels, born on March 7, 1990, in Minnesota, are thought to be one of only four sets of dicephalus twins ever to survive into teen years.

Doctors warned their parents, nurse Patty and carpenter Mike, they were unlikely to survive their first night.

Only one set of twins in every 40,000 is born connected in some way and only one per cent of these survive beyond the first year.

Doctors are worried that Abigail and Brittany will eventually suffer heart or other organ defects.

But none has shown so far and the twins even hope to marry one day.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2120555/US-dicephalus-twins-who-defied-all-medical-odds-to-live.html#ixzz23wtXTX7y
 
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  • #6
I remember seeing a show about them when they were little kids, I'm glad they're doing okay.
 

1. What are dicephalus twins?

Dicephalus twins are a rare type of conjoined twins where two individuals are joined together at the torso with separate heads and necks, but may share certain organs.

2. How do dicephalus twins develop in the womb?

Dicephalus twins occur when a fertilized egg splits partially, resulting in two individuals with separate heads but a shared body. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be a random occurrence.

3. What are some challenges faced by dicephalus twins?

Dicephalus twins may face physical challenges such as difficulty with coordination and motor skills due to having two separate brains controlling one body. They may also have medical complications, such as shared organs and unequal distribution of blood flow.

4. What are some unique capabilities of dicephalus twins?

Dicephalus twins have the ability to control separate parts of their shared body independently, such as one twin being able to move their arm while the other twin is using their leg. They also have the potential to have different personalities and preferences due to having separate brains.

5. How common are dicephalus twins?

Dicephalus twins are extremely rare, occurring in about 1 in every 100,000 births. Most cases are stillborn or die shortly after birth, but there have been a few cases of dicephalus twins surviving into adulthood.

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