"I sometimes look in the mirror and wonder what it would be like if there was two of me, an identical person, someone else who looked like me, spoke like me or maybe even thought in the same way I do.
Eighteen years ago, Charlotte and I were born almost 3 months premature and were both seriously ill. When I look at the photos of when I was born I realise just how lucky I am to be alive and perfectly healthy.
Just before Christmas 1988 my mum was rushed to the Osnabrook British Military Hospital but she only made it as far as the kinder clinic, the German civilian hospital. I weighed 2 pounds and 4 ounces, almost the same as a bag of sugar and Charlotte only weighed 1 pound and 14 ounces.
These photos that my Dad had taken show exactly how small and fragile we were. Sadly, Charlotte was that little bit too small and died at 6 months old. I found that when I talk to people about what happened they don't really know what to say. My mum told me that people always said "at least you have Danielle". My mum used to get really upset because she'd still lost a daughter and people didn't realise how hard it must still be for her. Every day she has to look at me and be reminded of Charlotte and how different our lives could have been if she'd survived. Life is full of "what ifs" but I am thankful for my life, my family and what I have."
