Seven-year-olds from the USA lived to finish school
The first seven-year-olds in the world who survived childhood are ready to go their separate ways after graduation. All seven of McCaughey's children—Kenny, Kelsey, Natalie, Brandon, Alexis, Nathan, and Joel—have graduated from Carlisle High School in Iowa.
The seven-year-olds have come a hard way since birth. They were born nine weeks early in November 1997 and weighed from 900 to 1800 grams. Doctors feared that they would not survive. Their mother Bobbi McCaughey had pituitary disorders, which caused her body to produce insufficient hormones for ovulation. The injection of the anti-infertility drug "Metrodin" turned out to be more than effective. Bobby and her husband Kenny refused selective reduction of multiple pregnancies after learning that they were pregnant with seven children.
(23 photos in total)
Seven-year-olds with their mother and older sister Mikayla.
The family received generous donations, including a 511-square-meter house, a van, a year's supply of Kraft macaroni and cheese and a two-year supply of diapers.
All seven Mccaughs—Kenny, Kelsey, Natalie, Brandon, Alexis, Nathan and Joel—graduated from high school together.
Among the donations was tuition at Hannibal La Grange University in Missouri, where some of the children will enroll. Others decided to enlist in the military, and someone will immediately go to work.
Natalie a little after birth.
Alexis, who suffers from cerebral palsy, got into the top 15% in her class, and she and her sister Natalie won places in the National Honor Society.
Natalie wants to become a primary school teacher.
In 1997, newborn seven-year-olds stirred up the press, and their parents found themselves in the center of universal discussion. Some people condemned them for having so many children and allegedly exploiting them, while others, on the contrary, were very supportive.
Brandon after birth.
US President Bill Clinton personally called the family to congratulate them, and then the Mccaughs appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show. The family also received free trips to Disneyland and Majorca and still lives in the donated house.
Brandon will join the army, which he has dreamed of since he was three years old. His siblings are already preparing for his departure in June.
When the hype in the press began to subside, Kenny, who works for a metal coating company, decided to teach his children that it is important to work hard, and they received much of what surrounds them only thanks to their unique history.
Kelsey was born the smallest, she weighed only one kilogram.
"I was always afraid that they would look at our work and think that this is enough to have everything good," he said in an interview. — I gradually told them the bitter truth. That I would never be able to afford to buy such a house on my salary. If you want something, you have to earn it."
Kelsey sang in the school choir and wants to continue studying music.
And parents have always seen this determination in their children, including Alexis and Nathan, who were born with cerebral palsy. Nathan has learned to walk by himself and trains every day. "I taught myself to walk because I really wanted to learn," he says. "It's getting better and better every time."
Kenny Jr. after birth.
Alexis still uses a walking device, but has become the second captain of her school's cheerleading squad.
Kenny wants to work in construction and will study at the university.
The seven-year-olds are grateful to fate for their large family, and their parents are grateful for the help of friends and relatives. Now grown-up children are ready to start their own way through life.
Alexis was born with cerebral palsy.
Alexis wants to become a teacher.
Nathan was also born with cerebral palsy.
Nathan plans to devote himself to science.
Joel was born last.
Joel plans to study computer science in college.
Bobbi and her husband Kenny refused selective reduction of multiple pregnancies.
They received generous gifts, including a house, a car and a two-year supply of diapers.
Several McCaughey sevens and President George W. Bush.
Kenny and Bobby.
The McCaughey family with Bush.
The seven-year-olds have an older sister (in the center) who appointed the sisters as bridesmaids at her wedding.
Seven-year-olds with their parents and Mikayla.
Keywords: Gemini | Graduates | Paralysis | Sensation | Usa | School | Schoolchildren