Miracle twins looking forward to a magical Xmas after major ops
CO CORK
Parents Angie and Azzedine with their boys The brothers play together
The twins approach their first birthday THE mother of miracle twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf has told how they are getting into the Christmas spirit after a gruelling year of surgeries.
The boys from Midleton, Co Cork, were born joined at the chest in London University Hospital.
They turned eight last week having been through the toughest 12 months since their separation at four months old, mum Angie revealed.
Their first major operation came after they nearly died at birth and it was the beginning of a long road for the family.
Speaking to RSVP, Angie said: “This year has been their toughest because they have been in hospital a lot.
“The surgeries will be ongoing. The saying says, “Out of sight, out of mind” and people probably think they were separated and that was it.
“Sadly, their surgeries will never end but they are smiling through it all and they are looking forward to their birthday party next weekend with their friends.
“They are very determined little boys and they are not letting any of these surgeries stand in their way.”
PAINFUL
The youngsters, who attend school in their local Midleton area, both underwent intensive spinal operations in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
Angie said: “Hassan had a very major surgery back in February and that would have been the 13th surgery on his spine to date.
“It was a tough surgery, he was nine hours in theatre and he was very low afterwards. That was the first time I saw him truly low and he didn’t want to watch television or play with toys for the two weeks he was in Crumlin.
“He completely shut down and it was really painful to watch him go through that.
“My husband and I made the call that Hassan needed his twin by his side so we organised Hussein to travel up to visit him.
“Within minutes Hussein was in the bed beside him and he was back talking and smiling again.”
The boys’ two older sisters Malika and Iman are there for them whenever they need support and somebody to lean on.
And with the New Year on the horizon, Angie said they try to remain positive and take each day as it comes.
She added: “We always try and give them something to look forward to whether it is a trip to Fota Wildlife Park or going to a friend’s house.
“They tend to look at the positives because it is part of their lives and they don’t dwell on it too much.”
It is part of their lives. They don’t dwell on it too much
ANGIE BENHAFFAF