Hassan, along with his twin brother Hussein, have faced complex medical challenges from a young age. At her twelve-week scan, Hassan’s mum Angie was told that her twin boys were unlikely to survive, and that she herself might not live through the pregnancy. However, she refused to give up, and Hassan and Hussein were born conjoined, sharing every organ except their hearts and each with only one leg.
Hassan and Hussien have had a childhood very different from most young boys, undergoing more than 75 surgeries from infancy. Hassan’s treatment journey has involved long days spent travelling to Great Ormond Street Hospital, with his family anxiously awaiting the outcome of each surgery.
Despite this, Hassan has faced every challenge with confidence and positivity. Today, he and his brother Hussein are award winning para-athletes, having represented team Ireland four times, and bringing home gold and silver medals in athletics. The twins have also helped their mum Angie raise over €110,000 for a variety of Irish children’s charities over the past 10 years at Angie’s annual Cork Wears Red Lunch. Angie started this annual lunch as a way to give back to the many organisations that have helped her boys!
During the many long days spent in hospital, Hassan was encouraged to apply for his wish. The possibility of having his wish come true helped to inspire hope in Hassan, and was a source of strength throughout his treatment journey.
When our volunteers, Jasmine and Gerry, got to know Hassan better they quickly learned about his love of music! He recently took up electric guitar, and he was eager to show our volunteers the new song he had learned, Everlong, by the Foo Fighters! Hassan told us that music was his passion, and he is a huge fan of Metallica. Lead singer James Hetfield is his hero, and he would love to see him play before the band stop touring.
Hassan wished to meet Metallica telling us “My wish is to attend the Metallica two day concert in June! They’re my favourite band and it would be my dream come true.”
Hassan, along with his mum Angie, brother Hussien, and big sister Iman all travelled up to Dublin, where they were met at the train station by Optimum Chauffers and Driver David, who whisked them away to the intercontinental in Ballsbridge.
After a quick bite to eat, wishgranter Brendan escorted the family to the Aviva for a very special meet and greet! On arrival at the Aviva, Hassan and his family got to go backstage and meet Metallica! Hassan was absolutely starstruck, and got to chat to his hero James Hetfield about their shared passion for guitar.
After meeting the whole band, they were brough up to a very special VIP box, tucked away from the rain of the Friday night gig, and they rocked out to the amazing openers and waited with baited breaths for the band to take the stage. Once James Hetfield appeared, it was clear the family left an impression as Hassan got a very special shout to the sold-out arena!
Hassan told us afterwards “Going to the concert and meeting Metallica was the best weekend of my life.” His mum Angie said “Thank you to Metallica for spending time with my boys and giving them such kind words of encouragement. Hassan has been through so much this past 16 years, and this past year has been particularly tough, so to see him so happy has meant everything to me.”
