Abby and Brittany Hensel, the remarkable conjoined twins who first captured the publicโs imagination on โThe Oprah Winfrey Showโ in 1996, have reached a new milestone in their extraordinary journey.
Abby, one of the twins, has entered a new chapter in her life by marrying Josh Bowling in 2021.
This joyous event marks a significant personal achievement for Abby, who, along with her sister Brittany, has been an inspiring figure for many.
The twins, now 34 years old, have always shared a unique bond.
Born as dicephalus conjoined twins, they are fused together at the torso, sharing a bloodstream and all organs below the waist.
Despite their physical connection, Abby and Brittany have distinct personalities and control different sides of their shared body โ Abby controls the right side, while Brittany manages the left.
Their decision to marry is proof of their individuality and determination.
Josh Bowling, described as a โfather, veteran, nurseโ on his Facebook page, has become a part of their extraordinary life.
The couple, along with Brittany, now reside in Minnesota, where the twins were born and raised.
The Henselsโ story has been a source of fascination and inspiration for many.
After their initial appearance on television, they starred in the TLC reality series โAbby and Brittany,โ which showcased their daily lives, including driving, traveling to Europe, and even riding a moped.
The series offered a closer glimpse into their lives and their rare condition, highlighting their resilience and zest for life.
Education has been a significant part of their journey.
After graduating from Bethel University in 2012, Abby and Brittany have been working as teachers at an elementary school in Minnesota.
Their commitment to education and their students is a reflection of their dedication and strength of character.
The Hensel family enjoys a life filled with simple pleasures.
According to Josh Bowlingโs Facebook page, they relish nature hikes, ice cream, and snow tubing.
These shared activities underscore the normalcy and joy in their lives, despite the unique challenges they face.
The decision to not undergo separation surgery was a pivotal moment in their lives.
Their parents, Patty and Mike Hensel, faced a daunting choice when the twins were born in 1990.
The surgery was deemed too risky, with little chance of both surviving.
Mike Henselโs words during a 2001 interview with Time magazine, โHow could you pick between the two?โ reflect the depth of their parentsโ love and commitment.
The rarity of their condition is underscored by the fact that only about one in every 200,000 live births results in conjoined twins.
Most conjoined twins are female and stillborn, making Abby and Brittanyโs story even more extraordinary.
Looking to the future, the twins have expressed interest in motherhood, a topic they touched upon in their teenage years.
In the 2003 documentary โJoined for Life,โ their mother, Patty, shared that this dream could be a reality, given that the necessary organs function for them.
Brittanyโs words, โYeah, weโre going to be moms,โ spoken when they were just 16, resonate with hope and possibility, illustrating their unyielding spirit and optimism for the future.
Watch the video below to learn more about the twins and Abbyโs marriage.
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