Q&A with Justine Quinn

The KtoA Magazine team met Justine at our Kidz to Adultz South Exhibition in May 2023. We spoke to her about her journey, raising children with additional needs, and the power of perseverance.

Hi Justine. What do our readers need to know about you?

Hi, I am Justine Quinn. I’m from Cape Town, South Africa and I live with my husband, Aidan. I am mum to four children: our 14-yearold special needs twins Isabella and Cillian, and another set of twins Riordan and Lorcan who are 12 years old.

My friends and family would describe me as talkative, spontaneous, passionate and a fixer – I won’t accept ‘no’. I enjoy running, sleeping, and helping those in need. Because of my own experience, I always want to help and be a support to parents who have premature babies and lose their child.

Can you tell us about your experience raising children with additional needs?

I grew up in Cape Town and lived in London for 10 years. It was while working for Ernst & Young in London that I met my Irish husband, Aidan. We moved back to Cape Town as my mum became ill and got married in March 2008.

We had triplets Isabella, Cillian and Ciaran in September 2008 and they were born premature at 26 weeks. We were so naïve, and had no idea about anything related to brain bleeds, cerebral palsy, ventilators, congenital nystagmus, necrosis of the intestine, stoma bags – and the list goes on. Sadly, our beautiful son Ciaran passed away after 3 days. Life at that time was about survival and trying to learn about our new journey while being intensely sleep deprived.

The now twins stayed in the hospital under specialised care for five months. Life was sheltered when they came home, and I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, so we dedicated ourselves to learning about therapies like floatation, massage, occupational therapy, crossing the midline, and more. Finances were always a worry, and we don’t get state help in South Africa if you’re in work. I gave up my career and devoted myself completely to the twins.

Two years later, I had a healthy pregnancy and the twin boys Riordan and Lorcan were born at 36 weeks. Riordan was in the neonatal intensive care unit for 3 days, but it was such a different experience. We now had two double strollers and it seemed like we had quadruplets at times as Isabella and Cillian have severe developmental delay.

How are your children doing now?

Riordan and Lorcan are heading to High School. They are compassionate, helpful and love their sister and brother protectively and are proud to be their siblings. Cillian and Isabella go to school. Cillian is non-verbal and has quadriplegia. He has surpassed everything and still slowly but surely progressing. Isabella is kind, gentle, and very funny. She was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum at about eight years old, and she has never stopped progressing.

We were told our children wouldn’t achieve anything. Told not to get your hopes up, they won’t see, hear, or talk. We will never stop believing in all our children, what they can achieve, and we will do whatever it takes to help them realise their full potential and dreams.

What lessons have you learnt?

Looking back, Aidan and I have been through it. Communication is key. We’ve learned to always talk to one another, that not everything is going to go your way. Marriage is about compromise, love, and patience. But together you are shaping and supporting the next generation.

I have been to the bottom of many sorrows with loss. I’ve also survived breast cancer and a double mastectomy and chemotherapy for a year. But I have never given up.

Why? Because my children are fighters, they are resilient and motivate me and Aidan. What would I change? Nothing!