Life as a lone identical twin
Photographer David Loftus remembers his twin brother John who beat brain cancer only to die later due to a medical error. After he died, David had to rebuild his life without him.
Identical twins David and John Loftus had an idyllic and happy childhood. They were so alike that as toddlers you could hardly tell them apart. They were very close growing up together. But after a cricket injury and subsequent brain scan, they discovered that John had a brain tumour. David struggled but he remained strong for his brother. John did beat the tumour, but contracted meningitis soon afterwards. During his treatment, a medical error left John in a coma. He died a few days later. After his death, David had to rebuild his life alone. He changed his career and eventually had a family of his own. He tells Emily Webb how he coped with John's death and how a book about his experience, Diary of a Lone Twin, is his love-letter to his brother.
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Katy Takatsuki
Picture: Identical twins David and John Loftus
Credit: Courtesy of David Loftus
Featured in...
Real life stories—Newsday
People who have overcome challenges and inspired others to do the same
Podcast
-
The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives