The Hensel Twins.

Posted by Miss Cellania in Medicine, Video Clips on February 3, 2007 at 2:07 pm



Conjoined Twins – video powered by Metacafe

Abby and Brittany Hensel are the conjoined twins from Minnesota you may remember from the TV special Joined for Life. They share many body organs, and each twin controls one arm and leg, but they coodinate so well they seem to move as one. Now almost 17 years old, here’s an update of how Abbby and Brittany are doing in high school. Push play or go to MetaCafe.


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COMMENT

31 comments to "The Hensel Twins."

  1. mrgoodbar
    February 4th, 2007 at 12:26 am

    If there has ever been a case for prenatal care and legalized abortion, this is it...

  2. Denita TwoDragons
    February 4th, 2007 at 12:38 am

    MrGoodbar -- Wow, how ironic. I was thinking the same thing myself. Only it was you I had in mind...

    --TwoDragons

  3. mark
    February 4th, 2007 at 3:37 am

    If anything it's the opposite. To see how well they function in everyday life and actually live normally despite such a terrible situation shows what would've been lost had they been aborted. I'm not taking a stance on abortion personally, just kindof pointing it out

  4. ion
    February 4th, 2007 at 5:19 am

    my only wish is that Abby and Brittney Hansel will self procreate and eliminate the rest of the waste that 'claims humankind'.

  5. Adrian
    February 4th, 2007 at 5:46 am

    I wish I had two heads. I could boost my creative productivity by 100%

  6. Heather
    February 4th, 2007 at 9:04 am

    Iheard that they learned to drive and someday they want to have kids....

  7. Erik
    February 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am

    I don't see this as a disability at all, and I think they're pretty cool.

  8. Blake
    February 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am

    I'd hit that.

  9. J. Tithonus Pednaud
    February 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am

    It's nice to see an update on their situation. Dicephalic twins are by far the most rare of all conjoined twins. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any mainstream case so long lived, other than The Scottish Brothers of the 1400's.

    http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/2006/01/scottish-brothers.html

    I am curious as to the legalities involved if they were to have children. Since they share a single reproduction system - I suppose technically they would both be the mother.

  10. Miss Cellania
    February 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

    I wonder (and its none of my business) if they pay for one or two school lunches. Sure, they both eat, but they only get one tray, and they probably don't consume as much as two separate girls would.

  11. biltmore
    February 4th, 2007 at 5:40 pm

    Blake says : "I’d hit that."

    Hell yeah! ROFL.

  12. Dave
    February 4th, 2007 at 10:25 pm

    Speaking of legalities, who gets the ticket if they're caught speeding?

    And mrgoodbar; some thoughts are best kept to yourself.

  13. Baalsz
    February 5th, 2007 at 12:07 pm

    I'd hit it twice. :D

  14. lll
    February 14th, 2007 at 2:15 am

    how the heck do they type on a keyboard if each one controls a hand?

    what happens, from a legal perspective, if one of them is asleep and the other one commits a crime?

    what if they hate each other?
    have they ever been in a physical fight with each other?

    what if they like two different guys, can they get married to both or would that be polygamy?
    or, if they married a single husband, would that be polygamy?

    most importantly, which one gives better head?

  15. patric mcgrath
    March 7th, 2007 at 6:21 am

    Many happy returns girls.I live in England and saw a documentary about the most amazing young ladies who lifted my soul so much I just had to comment upon.
    I know you never want people to feel sorry for you both
    but I was feeling quite low myself until I watched the
    programme and gave myself a right kick up the arse and
    told myself youve got a lot to be thankful for.
    So thank you both for helping me through a rough patch even though you never knew.
    Have a great day.
    Lots of luv..Patric..London

  16. Smartzie
    March 9th, 2007 at 3:24 pm

    Some of the questions and comments here are really stupid. I saw the latest documentary also. To the moron who commented about the school lunches: the twins have SEPARATE stomachs. The show clearly told this. They have one food tray because of their physical form.
    To the imbecile who asked about committing a crime. How could one commit a crime while the other is asleep, if -- in order to walk, BOTH twins have to be awake? They each control one leg. If one was asleep, the other would have only one leg with which to drag half a body of dead (asleep) weight.
    Jeez, some people with one head have HALF a brain.

  17. Erin
    March 14th, 2007 at 4:41 pm

    These chicks are absolutely amazing. I wouldn't care if they were serial killers, the experience and the life they are having is REMARKABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. michelle moore
    March 16th, 2007 at 9:25 am

    I would just like to say that i watched a programme last night on tv in the uk , and i watched with admiration.. The girls have such courage and real sense of happiness. Having three girls myslef i know exaclty what their mum is going thru..the make up the clothes ,girl frieds thing ,shopping and everything that comeS with girls.. i just wanted to say that i thought the progamme was wonderful .The girls looked such a joy to be around . I wish the family all the best for the future .. Good Luck With Everything U Choose To Do .:O)

  19. Darren C
    April 26th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

    Dear Abbey and Brittney,
    I saw your program on the discovery channel and then went to the internet to see more. I first have to say YOU GIRLS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Different personalities, driving, shopping, at home, school, work. You two are amazing. YOu girls have your act together more then most of us do out there. I wish you all the happiness in your future endevours and look forward to seeing the next documentary as you two keep having birthdays. For now, Keep on rocking like you are!!!!!!!! BOth of you are great girls, have fun in school!!!!!!!!! As for some of the people out there that have no clue on life who have messaged in with rude, crude or cruel comments. Abbey and Brittney please forgive them for they know not what they say. These girls have a one way first class ticket to heaven. So for the people with no clue, worry about yourselves, because with your inappropriate messages, iam not thinking thats a way your getting to heaven. Again, i look forward to seeing you girls more in the future!!!! You two are awesome!!!!! God bless you both,
    Darren C
    Illinois

  20. Ronald
    May 15th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

    I personally think they put us all to shame. At least they do me. They have all the right to gripe in the world but they work together instead. I have never seen 2 more beautiful people in my life and I probbly will never again. There is not a celebrity on this planet that can hold a candle to these 2 girls. We would have been denied a true gift if they had not lived. I love them both and pray that God will bless them forever.

  21. Max
    June 24th, 2007 at 5:52 am

    They are officially (and mentally) two people so they can marry each another man. That's the law. If that would work...
    I can't tell.

  22. Charles
    June 26th, 2007 at 4:38 pm

    I've just seen a TV programme about those girls on German television, and got curious - so I googeled.
    I think that those girls are two of the most outstanding and remarkable persons I have ever heard about in my life! While people like us are not able to cope with let's say minor problems, they face something that none of us could ever imagine, everyday - and they still live a happy life!! I think this is something we all can learn from - we all have so many things to be thankful for, sometimes we all should concentrate on things that really matter - and not loose ourselves in things we tend to make up ourselves!
    I am not Christian and was not brought up to believe in God or some sort of creator - but those girls are the living evidence that there is something out there. Whatever it was - something just made them so special to send a kind of message to the world - that's what I think.
    All the best for you and your parents as well,
    Charles

  23. Magnus
    August 27th, 2007 at 11:42 pm

    As they age, and with the further divergence of their personalities, the quagmires of their lives are going to become exponentially difficult. There is NO references for them as to resolution of their paradoxes in the history of the recorded/written world!!! The biggest problems, I believe will revolve around intimate relationships…these are two completely different individuals with two totally distinct personalities -- but share ONE sex organ! Imagine the multitude of dilemmas. They are absolutely going to want to marry/procreate…how will they consecrate a separate marriage? If one falls in love and the other disapproves, then what? What if one never wants to marry but must endure the normal activities of her married twin? The scenarios are endless…

    This is an absolutely fascinating human tale unfolding for the whole world to witness…we should feel privileged to be part of their phenomena. - God Bless

  24. kathy mazzotta
    September 15th, 2007 at 1:00 pm

    I just adore abby and britney! I am 49, and a mother, and i watched them growing up to be fabulous girls, I would love to meet them in person, they give me an uplift whenever i see them on tv, also, i am very, very proud of them, they are very smart, and respectable, and beautiful, and amazing personalities! Abby and britney, please write to me ifyou have time, count me in on being a friend also! Love you both!!!!! sincerely, kathy m. xoxoxoxoxoxo

  25. Troy
    October 6th, 2007 at 6:43 pm

    I'm not going to go as far as saying that I'd hit that, but they are both very good looking young ladies. Definately date-able. Love all the questions about who gets the speeding ticket...my guess is it's going to be Abby since her foot is on the gas pedal.

  26. Werebat
    January 4th, 2008 at 9:15 am

    Smartzie,

    One of them certainly could commit a crime while the other is asleep. It only takes one hand to fire a pistol.

    Say they live alone and buy a handgun for protection. They keep it in a drawer by the bed. While one of them is asleep, the other opens the drawer and puts the gun in her handbag. The next day, they are walking through the mall, and the one with the hidden gun casually opens her back, pulls out a gun, and opens fire on the crowd.

    I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just pointing out that it COULD happen. I wish the girls the best of luck too, and encourage them to exploit all of the legal loopholes they can as the system will certainly stick it to THEM when it can.

    Other questions: Will they earn one paycheck or two? My thoughts are that they will have to train for one career that they both agree on, then only one of them will be hireable because the other really can't work at the same time as her sister. The one whose name isn't on the paycheck will be able to collect disability in the meantime because her medical condition prohibits her from working. If they are smart they will switch at some point as I think disability increases if you have earned money previous to collecting.

    If they join a soccer team, do they count as one or two players?

    I find them fascinating. I'm glad that they seem so happy and well adjusted. I really do wish them the best.

    - Ron ^*^

  27. TJacks
    April 9th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    I find it amusing people are so butthurt about others' comments on here.

    They both won't get married. What guy would want to deal with that?

  28. Addison
    September 5th, 2008 at 3:06 am

    I just watched the documentary on you tube. wow they are both amazing girls! i really admire them! they are so coordinated! to be able to drive, play the piano, swim, play sport, type on a computer etc is just amazing!! i wish you both the very best in life!! please keep us updated!

  29. Andrew Shirfield
    October 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    i watched this loads of times and i think their cool and i thinki why they can tell what to do is eithewr psychic or via the spinal cord. it would be nice to see them growning up just to see how they cope with life

  30. Susan
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:21 am

    I am a twin and my twin and I shared everything growing up. We always had the same best friend. We are very close to this day. We never did have the same boyfriend. Once a guy dated my sister, he was a brother to me. If my twin and I were conjoined though, I could see having one boyfriend/husband. If you guys ever read this, my twin and I think twins are a special race of people. The world would be a better place if everyone was a twin. We don't get it when twins are not best friends. We've had our moments, but we've always made up fast. When we were little we even had our own language. Twins rule!

  31. Jay
    March 29th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Dear Abby n Brittaney - if u ever read this post.

    'Wow'. you young ladies are amazing. I just watched a short programme about you both. You are an inspiration to the World. you're experience in compromising and co-operating with one another should result in you gals helping the worlds warring nations to find peace and unity! if i may be permitted to say a few things which i hope is not out of turn as i have never met you both.

    The media use n abuse all they can for personal gain. Learn to use them for your own gain.

    Study hard! do well at school, university etc and know that there are NO limits to what you can both acheive together.

    Do everything you can to make you mother happy. I'm sure you already do. I can't imagine the challnges she has gone through for you both and she should be number one in your lives no matter what... Mrs Hensel - i salute you!

    If ever in Scotland please get in touch with me - i'd love to spend some time with you both.

    Lastly - study Islam purely for the sake of knowledge and out of interest.

    I am sure the entire world feels the right to impart advice to you and understand you may be offended by my comments. For this i profusely apologise. I know that you will both do as you please and so you should, however i have thought about this and feel that its the best advice in the universe my humble little mind can think of.

    Good luck to you both

    Jay - Scotland


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