Switched-at-birth Austrians find biological parents after 35 years

Vienna [Austria], October 8: Two girls born prematurely in the Austrian city of Graz almost 35 years ago and inadvertently switched during their time in incubators have been reunited with their biological parents. The families described the discovery, which was confirmed by DNA testing a few weeks ago, as both deeply moving and painful. Doris and Jessica were born at the end of October 1990 in a hospital in the southern Austrian city. They spent their initial weeks not with their mothers, but in incubators and special cots, according to a report in the Krone Zeitung newspaper. "It's an indescribably good feeling," Doris told public broadcaster ORF of the life-altering revelation on Monday. Jessica said it felt as though she had had a sister for 35 years. "It's scary and beautiful at the same time," she said, while acknowledging "a lot of pain" alongside the positive aspects. Doris learnt years ago that she could not be the biological child of the couple who raised her, after a blood donation revealed an incompatible blood type. Despite hospital investigations and a public appeal in 2016, the other family could not be found. Jessica discovered the truth only weeks ago, after learning her own blood type during a pregnancy. After her doctor drew her attention to the story about switched babies, she contacted Doris and a DNA test confirmed their biological connection, according to ORF. (dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune