РІР‚СљI want to make sure that theyРІР‚в„ўre safe and that theyРІР‚в„ўre not completely exposed, definitely just standing in the way of pictures, just always keeping an eye on whatРІР‚в„ўs going on and just how the girls are reacting to the crowds,РІР‚Сњ says Junkans. However, they also have to be on their guard and more aware of entering crowded or confined spaces because members of the public will often try to take unwelcomed photographs.Р”Р„s a close friend of the twins, Erin Junkans says you always need to be alert because you never quite know how people are going to react or what they are going to say. They have two passports, but one ticket as they only take up one seat on the aeroplane. Travelling to a new country with friends on holiday is also not as straightforward for conjoined twins. The twins deny a rumour that Brittany has become engaged, describing it as a РІР‚Сљdumb jokeРІР‚Сњ. РІР‚СљI can be a totally different temperature than Brittany would be,РІР‚Сњ says Abby, РІР‚Сљand a lot of times our hands are different temperatures, so I get super-hot way faster.РІР‚СњР”Вespite having a normal family and social life, studying and working like any other young women, they do face some additional problems.Р”Р‡or example, they have to put up with speculation about their private life РІР‚вЂњ something they prefer not to discuss. After a few cups BrittanyРІР‚в„ўs heart rate increases, but Abby is not affected.Р”Р„nd they have different body temperatures. Abby is interested in maths and science, while Brittany prefers the arts. Brittany is scared of heights, whereas Abby is not. While Abby is seen as the РІР‚СљoutspokenРІР‚Сњ sister and will always win the argument about what they are going to wear, Brittany says her twin is also much more of a РІР‚Сљhomebody,РІР‚Сњ whereas she prefers going out. РІР‚СљBrittanyРІР‚в„ўs a lot more like neutrals and pearls and stuff like that, and I would rather have it be more fun and bright and colourful.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљWe definitely have different styles,РІР‚Сњ says Abby. They have had to learn to reach compromises on everything from what food they eat to their social life and even the clothes they wear.

As their two legs are different lengths, Brittany has to stand on tip toe, on her leg, to ensure they maintain their balance. There is a difference in height and at 1.57m Abby is taller than her sister Brittany who is 1.47m. With two sets of lungs, two hearts, two stomachs, one liver, one large intestine and one reproductive system, they have learned from a young age to co-ordinate their body, with Abby controlling the right hand side and Brittany the left. The twins know each other so well that they often say the same things or finish each otherРІР‚в„ўs sentences, and are supportive and understanding of the other in all aspects of life.

РІР‚СљThey are two different girls, but yet they are able to work together to do the basic functions that I do every day that I take for granted,РІР‚Сњ says Hohncke. Their friend Cari Jo Hohncke has always admired the sistersРІР‚в„ў teamwork. РІР‚СљSo in that sense we can do more than one person.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљOne can be teaching and one can be monitoring and answering questions,РІР‚Сњ says Brittany. РІР‚СљAs maybe experience comes in weРІР‚в„ўd like to negotiate a little bit, considering we have two degrees and because we are able to give two different perspectives or teach in two different ways.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљObviously right away we understand that we are going to get one salary because weРІР‚в„ўre doing the job of one person,РІР‚Сњ says Abby. The identical, conjoined twins from Minnesota, in the United States, have graduated from Bethel University and are setting out on their career as primary school teachers with an emphasis on maths.Р”Р„lthough they have two teaching licences, there is one practical difference when it comes to the finances. Like most 23-year-olds, Abby and Brittany Hensel love spending time with their friends, going on holiday, driving, playing sport such as volleyball and living life to the full.

But how easy is it for two people to inhabit one body? They have been to university, they travel, they have jobs. Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined twins determined to live the normal, active life of outgoing 20-somethings anywhere.

Abby and brittany hensel teaching