The Lone Twin Network is a voluntary support group run by and for twinless twins, over the age of 18, whose loss has occurred at or around birth, in childhood or during adulthood.
We are a UK based group but also have many members from all over the world.
Through meetings and personal contact, we aim to offer a friendly and comfortable environment in which to talk openly and honestly about how it feels to be without your twin. You will find there is a wide variety of experiences and circumstances of loss within the members of the group – please remember, you are not alone.
As we come to know each other through the meetings and network list, we will find mutual support. Some may wish to examine ways of increasing awareness of this profound and unique loss, so that those affected – both lone twins and those related to them – will be able to cope more easily and with greater understanding. We endeavour to help ease the pain of loss and loneliness that we all feel in some way, during our journey through this particular grief.
The network list is the means by which members can make contact with one another as soon as they join the Network. As well as the name and general location, it gives details of the sex of their twin, whether or not they were identical and the age at which their twin died. Additional space is provided for other information which surviving twins may wish to add. Any twin wishing to contact another is free to do so, but there is no obligation for members to participate in ways other than those they have chosen. For example, email addresses or telephone numbers need not be included in the Network list.
Origins of the Network
Between 1983 and 1986, 219 lone twins replied to an invitation from Joan Woodward, herself a lone twin. to participate in her research project into the response of twins to the death of their twin. The findings were presented at the 1988 International Conference of Twin Studies in Amsterdam and subsequently published in their journal. On February 25 1989, at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London, 31 of the lone twins originally interviewed by Joan met together for the first time and found they had a great deal to share with one another. It was a momentous day.
Those present divided into four groups; those whose twin had died at or around the time of birth; members whose twin had died in childhood and those whose twin had died in adult life. A separate group was formed for those whose twin had died in traumatic circumstances. After this initial meeting, Joan Woodward offered to compile a Register of Lone twins. As membership grew, the ‘Lone Twin Network’ was formed, and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of those who have experienced twin bereavement. There are currently over 650 members in the network.
Be Part of Lone Twin Network on Facebook
Members have the opportunity to interact with other Lone Twin Network members in a confidential Facebook group. Once your LTN membership is confirmed, we’ll invite you to join the group. Please note, because of the personal nature of the issues discussed by members, we only offer this opportunity to LTN members and we won’t be able to accept anyone into the Facebook LTN Group membership until we know you via joining the LTN core group.
lone twin network 
I’m not sure how to join this group. My twin died when we were 12 years old. She had bone cancer in her leg and had to have her leg amputated aged 11. She fought back bravely but the cancer spread and I cared for her along with my Mum. I watched her slowly die and spent every minute I could with her, even sleeping in the same bed. One morning I awoke and she was lying dead next to me. I became almost mute in the months that followed and sat alone in every class at High School looking at the empty chair next to me. The Teachers sometimes called me her name and still read out her name on the register months later. I still feel like half of me is missing yet it was over 40 years ago.
Ah im soo sorry for your loss My twin died 5. Years ago. We were conjoined twins. I.m 74, i miss her every day. But ive tried to continue with my life, with my family and my grandchildren. Although nothing ever will be the same. You just have to think what your twin would have wanted for you! As hard as that is. DAWN NEALE
coming upon 4 years being twinless, though that has not registered fully as of yet. I am not sure what to do with more then 50% ownership of a birthday….
For me birthdays are the hards time for me and my family, i just had my 21, my twin pasted age 5 and we still do two cakes – each year is diffrent but this year i had time to celibate me but in the evening i went to my sisters grave and spent time with her, its our bithday but within that its yours too
I lost my identical twin when we were 5 so almost 13 years ago but I always wonder what it would be like if I she was still here and sometimes I have random memories of when she was still alive
hi there my doctor gave me antidepressants no counciling no nothing nearly 2 years later i am still no better the medication stopped me feeling i didn’t want to stop feeling her gone i wanted help to try to move on i stopped them i miss her so much i really do she was ill but i couldn’t help her
Hi Anne. I lost my twin sister just over 2 years ago . Just over a week ago I lost my brother . So I have no siblings now . Xxx
I to lost my identical twin two and half years ago. Also my brother the year before.. I’m 72.its hard to cope..
My identical twin sister passed away in my arms on 4.20.22 at age 49 from brain cancer. She had just gotten a clean bill of health after battling stage 4a throat cancer the previous year.
5 weeks later she was gone.
I’ve never felt more lost & untethered as I have since she left.
My twin died of brain cancer on 8/23/23 at 46 years ok. My heart is broken in half. We are momo twins, we shared a placenta and a whole life together. My heart goes out to you! I know I’ll be with her again and I hope to see her in my dreams every night.
I lost my twin in utero and I am having a hard time I also lost one twin when i was pregnat I really need someone to talk to about this
I’m Eleanor née Lane. I was born 30th June 1943. My mum told me that my twin sister died at birth, years later she changed that to, dying at 7 months. I suspect that she was given away, although fairly healthy I’ve had things happen to me TWICE. 2 ectopic pregnancies, broken limbs minor accidents etc, should I be concerned and can I find out the truth before it’s too late. HELP
,
Have a word with the registry office your birth was registered at. They would know if your twin was registered at the same time. Check for a death certificate at 7 months. I’m a member of Scotland’s People.co.uk. I can search the records online via that site. Some of the info is free and other info has a small fee. There might be a similar source in your area.
Hi, do you know if there is a way to find out if I was a twin ? And that twin died at birth.
I was born in Aberdeen. My parents never loved me and my mother said I was fat and greedy from the moment I was born. I have done a DNA test and it confirmed she is my biological mother. I had thought maybe she was my aunt and forced to raise me. So now I wonder if she hates .e because a baby died and I lived ?
Thanks in advance
Debbie
Hi Eleanor you we both have similar stories. I’m 20 years old and my twin sister died at birth. She took a part of me and growing up, I had always preferred to be alone. My Mom often narrates to me that I was such a loner who plays with herself. Up till date I can’t sleep comfortably without being in physical contact with someone. I’m greatly affected especially in my relationships, as I’m scared of loosing those that I’m attached to. For this reason I behave coldly to everyone that comes close to me. And for the few people that I’m close to, I love them immensely and feels betrayed when they ignore me. But most at times it’s just me with myself.
Hello. My beautiful twin sister took her life aged 58 in May this year (2022). I was the one to find her and it has broken me! My life will never be the same again and I know she has taken part of me with her! I’ve gone through so many emotions and cannot look at her photo as I’m in so much pain. Is there anyone with a similar story? No one knows the emptiness I feel!
My identical twin died may 2021,Sarah she died 14th may no one found her till the 18th May we were not talking at the time, we always fell out but made up my life is on hold i never said bye got to see her or kiss her goodbye it eats me away ,i know your pain , no one knows i watch her funeral all the time and want to do things different , i have her picture but cannot go to wear she is resting anymore i dont believe it that shes gone our birthday was the 19th May she was 55.x
Thank you for your kind words! I felt no one knew how I felt! I’m just going through each day as I can! I miss her dreadfully and still cannot believe she has gone!
I found her and I have to relive it daily to actually believe she is no longer here! I hope things have got easier for you x
Hi
Yes my twin brother took his life 5 years ago. Half of me has gone and I don’t know what to do. The shock of tragedy cause me to have inflammatory breast cancer 14 months later so I needed a double mastectomy and a shed load of chemo. My husband was good friends with him too and was his best man. As a family we can’t get past this. I miss him more and more every day.
Hi Julia,
I’m sorry you are going through this on top of your huge loss – life seems very unfair especially for you! For me it is still very raw- I miss her so much and every day there are times I go to ring her or think “I must tell Janny about that!” I can’t look at her photo as it makes me angry! We could have avoided this if only she had told me exactly what was going on! I have 5 grandkids that have helped me through it all. When it first happened, I felt I should join her but I couldn’t have inflicted further pain on my family as we are devastated enough. I hope your treatments are successful! Hope he is watching over you – people keep telling me my sister is watching over me but who knows? God bless ??
Sent from Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef ________________________________
Hi I’m Tracey I can’t find an in person type meeting anywhere. Although I’d probably rather just text rn anyway. I can’t talk much it’s hard to breathe my identical twin 42 just passed 4/23 I’m totally broken, no one else understands being born with an instant best friend,, we had a hard life and she was my ride or die. Anyway if anyone wants to talk to me please do! (845)372-3846 it traceyrennia@gmail.com
Hi Tracey, my names Charlie. I have 2 older brothers. I found out at the age of 68 I had a twin my brother 10 yrs older dropped the bombshell then a few days later my oldest brother said the same. I questioned my elder brother his reply was not his secret to tell. Sadly my eldest brother passed away before he could finish telling me about it. I cannot get any more information out of my brother. All I know is I have a twin sister somewhere. Maybe some day will find each other.
Charlie
Hi I lost my twin brother on the day of our Birthday June 2021 on the way to our birthday dinner . I am lost without him and sometimes I wish it could had been both of us not just him.
Hi I lost my twin brother on the day our birthday June 2021 on the way to our birthday dinner in Mexico . I feel so sad and lost without him .
My brother Paul died on a motorcycle accident long time ago after all this time nothing has changed,I look at other people and wish sometimes I wasn’t a twin,
Hi my name is Anne i lost my identical twin Sarah this year in May i found out she was no longer with me the day before our 56th birthday i have has a lot of people commented lost half my heart i miss her so much and don’t know when things will get better i need to communicate with people who know what i am going through to try to get some peace in my life its took me a while to find an organization who are out there for someone like me.
I lost my twin sister September of this year. I feel I have lost half of my heart. She was my first best friend, my confidante, my sidekick. We did everything together. We talked on the phone and video chatted everyday I’m not sure how to deal with it. Shes only been gone a week so it’s still fresh. I need help please
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for getting in touch with us, we will do our best to support you. Please can you drop us a quick message through our Contact Us page, then we can send you details of the group and how to join. You can then also join our private facebook group, where you can get immediate support and understanding. Thank you, Nancy
Hello, I hope you’re doing better.
Always, remember that you are not alone, that you mean so much to someone (other than your twin) you may just not see it
Crikey!
I can’t believe I’ve only just found you lot!
I’m a surviving twin and have been searching for people in the same boat.
Everyone! WhatsApp me – id love to connect
07398541870
I lost my twin sister Chris last September it’s nearly a year ago.
I lost my twin at birth but feel my twin is still apart of my life
hello ! I lost my twin sister at four days after our birth , we were born at 26 weeks and it hurts me . I still don’t understand what i had more than her and survived
Mostly for me its loneliness most of the time im with my own company but in the back of my head i always think what if she was besides me right now maybe i wouldn’t be so lonely .
Your twin will always be with you keep your head up !!
I lost my twin sister to leukaemia, March 2020, aged 63, at the start of the first lockdown. Only ten people at her funeral, no flowers, no family funeral cars and no wake. Our mum, aged 86 is struggling knowing we didn’t give her a proper send off (as my mum say).
We saw each other every single day, even worked together.
I’m struggling knowing that it’ll be me to look after our mum. Whilst it’ll be an honour and privilege, I wanted to share this experience with my twin. I feel that life has let us down.