Angie Benhaffaf, mother to twins Hassan and Hussein, who were born conjoined, named Carer of the Year

""It's been a tough year for all of us. To finish up this year on such a high and receive such a huge acknowledgment - it means everything to me. I'm quite overwhelmed... "When my sons came into the world, our lives were turned upside-down, but for the better. I do an annual charity lunch called Cork Wears Red and over the last 10 years, with my children, we've raised €105,000 for children's charities.""

"At her 12-week scan, Ms Benhaffaf, from Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, was told her twins were unlikely to survive and that she herself might not live through the pregnancy. She refused to give up. Though the boys shared every organ, except their hearts and each has only one leg, Ms Benhaffaf instilled in her children the belief they could do anything."

Ms Benhaffaf was honoured in Dublin for years of extraordinary care for her twin sons, Hassan and Hussein, who face lifelong medical challenges. At a 12-week scan she was told the twins were unlikely to survive and that she might not live through the pregnancy, yet she continued the pregnancy. The boys share every organ except their hearts and each has only one leg. Ms Benhaffaf has supported them through 75 surgeries, extended hospital stays and medical emergencies. The twins have represented Ireland four times, winning multiple medals in wheelchair basketball and athletics. She has raised €105,000 for children's charities through an annual Cork Wears Red lunch.

Read at Irish Independent