Angie recognised for exceptional mothering

ONE of Ireland’s best-known mums has won a special recognition award for her exceptional mothering skills in an extraordinary situation.

Angie Benhaffaf, the mother of Ireland’s Little Fighters, Hassan and Hussein, was nominated for the award by her husband, Azzedine.

“I don’t know how she found the strength and courage to cope with all the heartbreak she’s been through,” he wrote on the entry form for the Woman’s Way/John West Mum of the Year.

“She is one of the sweetest, gentle women and she has always put her children first, even when her own life was at risk.”

The twin boys, who were born conjoined at the chest in December 2009, were successfully separated just over a year ago, and continue to thrive.

As well as the little boys, Angie has her two daughters, Malika, 7, and Iman, 3, to consider.

Angie, who was in Dublin to receive her award, said it was the first time she had ever been away from her family. “The only time I have ever been away from any of them was to give birth. So it is my first day off ever since I became a mum,” she said. “It has actually done me good to be here. I feel that it has given me a little recharge and a little boost.”

Angie, who has written a book, Little Fighters, said her friends and family had been urging her to take time off for herself but she never heeded them. “I am delighted I have taken the day off now because it has been extra special.”

Asked how she felt about getting the award, Angie, said she found the experience difficult because it was all about her being a mum and not about the boys. “Only three people knew I would be here today — my husband and my two friends. I was so shy about the whole thing because I feel I am just a mum.”

Angie, who hopes to see her boys walking by their second birthday on December 2, said a consultant was travelling over to Ireland in September to begin the process of fitting them with prosthetic limbs.

“At the moment the two boys are both pulling themselves up to stand in their cots and it is a wonderful sight to see,” she said.

“They are going from room to room and pulling out all the coal from my fireplace and being generally naughty, which is all good because it means they are doing everything they should be doing.

“I remember saying a year ago after they were separated that they would be the same as other kids, but better, and they are.”