Siamese twins are a unique biological phenomenon. Two individuals, often having one body for two, can learn to live a fulfilling life and even get married.
Where did the name "Siamese twins" come from?
Brothers Eng and Chang Bunker were among the first documented twins to be fused together. They were born in 1811 in Thailand, then called Siam. Hence the common name for all twins of this kind. Eng and Chang's case was not difficult - they grew together with just a small strip of skin at the chest level, but then medicine questioned their successful separation. By the way, at an early age they almost died - the king of Siam considered the unusual twins a harbinger of grief and ordered them to be executed, but then changed his anger to mercy and allowed Eng and Chang to perform in the circus. At the end of this career, the twins took up farming and were even married.
Many Siamese twins were killed, as they were considered the machinations of the devil.
The Blažek sisters are the most beautiful twins
Sisters Rosa and Joseph Blazek were born in 1878. Their mother was terrified of the girls' unusual appearance and refused to feed them for a week. But the little ones survived, and the parents decided to make money with their help, showing the curiosity in the circus. As they matured, the sisters evolved into attractive young girls. They dressed beautifully and did exquisite hairstyles, learned to play the harp and violin, and even dance with young people. The sisters had common organs below the waist, but this did not stop Rose from getting married and even giving birth to a child. In fact, the baby was a common child of the sisters, and they looked after him in turn. Even a photo of Rosa and Joseph has been preserved next to the carriage.
Famous Russian twins
But the story of Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapovs is not so rosy. They were born in 1950. Their mother, seeing the girls, suffered mental damage, and their father abandoned the twins. Masha and Dasha have lived their entire adult lives in various boarding schools and homes for the disabled. Soviet scientists studied girls as experimental animals, making no attempt to separate them. The sisters grew together in the pelvic area, they had three legs, one of which was later removed, but Masha and Dasha learned to walk on crutches. The Krivoshlyapovs lived on a small social benefit, due to despair, Dasha became addicted to alcoholism. In 2003, the sisters died of a heart attack.
Now, operations to separate twins are successful in 65% of cases.
Abigail and Brittany Hensel - one body for two
Siamese twins Abigail and Brittany are completely fused, but they have two necks and heads. These girls were born in 1990, and today they feel great and are not going to separate. Despite the fact that each sister controls only her half of the body, the twins independently walk, swim and even drive a car. They went to a regular school, graduated from university and found work. Ebi and Britty get along well with each other and make big plans for the future.
