Twin boys happy after operation in Canada

This is how their mother, 24-year-old Leslie Lopez Sookhoo puts it when asked about the condition of her 14-month-old twins who were operated on jointly to take care of a condition known as "anal atresia," a condition whereby they were born without an opening in the anus (imperforative anus).

The successful Can$80,000 operation took place at the Canadian Hospital for Sick Kids, in Toronto.

Johan and Tariq are back at their St Ann’s home with dad Ruston, 32, an employee of Hi-Lo Food Stores and mom, Leslie saying thanks to all who contributed to their welfare during their ordeal. The kids spent two months in Canada, with their mother always at their side. Yesterday, Leslie was thanking not only God, but all who helped to make the operation possible and by extension, she thanked all who could not offer financial help, but stood by their side and prayed with them that some miracle would happen to help their two loved ones. Leslie summed up her sentiments, "I give thanks to members of the Trinidad and Tobago public, business sector, Government and the Canadian Hospital for Sick Kids and those who in any way assisted in my twin infants having their two operations on May 9 and July 4, 2005."

She said the operations were to correct the congenital disorder.

"Johan and Tariq were fitted with Colostomies that saved their lives at birth by Dr Barrie Landreth-Smith. They spent one year with the Colostomies as their only means of excreting stool," said Leslie.

Now they can function as normal. But she said she has been advised to keep monitoring the twins, an exercise that may continue until they reach the age of at least 15.