Celebrations continue for Cork twins

THE mother of conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffhaf, who returned home this weekend, has joked that she hopes Cork City Hall “will be big enough for everyone” as celebrations continue following the boys’ speedy recovery.

Angie Benhaffhaf, who has experienced an extremely stressful 18 months, is now hoping to return to normal life with her precious five-month-old boys, who are expected to be released from Cork University Hospital (CUH) in a matter of days.

Ms Benhaffhaf, whose life has revolved around hospitals for many months, has taken to Facebook to express her gratitude for the assistance of the public since the news of her twins birth was announced in the media earlier this year.

Posting on the Little Fighters’ Fund Facebook page Angie Benhaffhaf thanked the people of Ireland for their thoughts and prayers over the last five months.

“Just want to say thanks to all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers. You have no idea of how much it has helped us cope.

“There have been very tough days but when I read some of the lovely, positive and loving comments for the boys and us – that keeps us going.

“We want to always surround the twins and ourselves with only positive thoughts and people. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts. !

Ms Benhaffhaf, who lives in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, with her Algerian-born husband Azzedine and the couple’s two daughters Malika and Iman said she was very pleased to be able to start personally replying to all the kind and supportive messages she has received from the public.

Meanwhile, doctors in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London are astonished at the speed with which the boys have recovered from a gruelling 14-hour operation on April 7 to separate them.

Consultant paediatrician with Cork University Hospital, Deirdre Murray, said Professor Jonathan Hourihane and the CUH paediatric team have been liaising with the medical staff in Great Ormond Street regarding the boys’ care now that they are back in Ireland.

The boys were delivered at University College Hospital in London on December 2 but were later cared for by the staff at the neo-natal unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital prior to their surgery in London in April.

Last Friday the pupils of Scoil Chlochair Mhuire made banners and tied yellow ribbons to trees in Carrigtwohill which will remain until the twins are brought home following their discharge from CUH, which is expected in a matter of days.

* Fundraising is continuing for the family. The Little Fighters’ Fundraising account is at the Permanent TSB Patrick Street, Cork: sort code 99-07-03, account no: 16556196.