Video: Baby Dominique reunites with family in Africa

Video: Baby Dominique reunites with family in Africa

A baby born with four legs and two spines has been reunited with her family in Africa following her life-changing surgery at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Baby Dominique’s mother, father and sisters saw her for the first time in two months at the Abidjan Airport in the Ivory Coast on April 20.

“I never thought that I’d see my daughter like this today,” Dominique’s mother said. “It’s really a miracle. I want to thank all the surgeons who did a great job. And also thank you to the American people who helped my little Dominique, who allowed her to have a normal life, like other children.”

Dr. John Ruge, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Advocate Children’s Hospital who was part of Dominique’s surgical team, wished the family well.

“It is awesome to see Dominique back home in the care of her family,” Dr. Ruge said. “It is the perfect ending to her journey to the United States. It is also a great beginning for her new life in the Ivory Coast. I’m so proud of our surgical team and the impact we have had on little Dominique’s life. It is why we do what we do every day.”

11-month-old Dominique was born with a parasitic conjoined twin. The bottom half of her twin’s not-fully-developed body – including waist, legs and feet – protruded from Dominique’s neck and back until her risky but successful surgery at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge last month.

The surgery, performed March 8 by five surgeons and involving a team of over 50 clinicians, was necessary to give Dominique the chance to live a long and normal life. Without separation, Dominique’s little heart and lungs would continue functioning for two people and thus shorten her lifespan. The baby would also suffer from severe balance issues once older, and her appearance would likely result in ridicule and the possibility of her becoming a social outcast.

Dominique spent more than two months in the United States with her host family, the Swabbs, from the Edgebrook neighborhood in Chicago. She has arrived home on April 20 – just in time to celebrate her first birthday in May.  For more information on Dominique, click here.

Baby Dominique: An Emotional Reunion

TEARS OF JOY: 11-month-old baby Dominique has returned home to her family in the Ivory Coast of West Africa! Over two months ago, Dominique came to the U.S. to undergo a risky and complex surgery at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge. She was born with an undeveloped parasitic conjoined twin that resulted in two additional legs protruding from her back and two spines. Watch the emotional reunion below and learn more about Dominique's rare medical condition.

Posted by Advocate Children's Hospital on Wednesday, April 26, 2017

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Comments

2 Comments

  1. My heart rejoices! With this amazing story, with hope , grace of God & the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, family all together in One, everything is possible
    God Wins Love wins!!! Bravo Dominique!!!!

  2. Wow! This is amazing. I am so thankful for the medical advances we have and the expertise we have in our doctors.

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About the Author

Lisa Parro
Lisa Parro

Lisa Parro, health enews contributor, is a content manager for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. A former journalist, Lisa has been in health care public relations since 2008 and has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She and her family live in Chicago’s western suburbs.