World’s first set of surviving septuplets turned 18

középfok

18 évesek lettek a világ első túlélő hetes ikrei! 

In 1997, the McCaughey septuplets were a national phenomenon as the world’s first surviving set of septuplets. Now, they are seven teenagers aged 18, with distinct identities and separate dreams. They had their birthday November 19.

After appearing on TODAY when they were only four days old, the seven children of Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey returned to show just how far they have come since making history. Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon and Joel, have made their parents wonder where all the time went as they began their senior year of high school.

“They have flown by,” an emotional Bobbi told Savannah Guthrie about the years since theirhistoric birth. “Just because there’s been so many things that have happened. The memories, the joy, the heartaches that happened. It’s what has guided us to where we are today, and it’s very special.”

The interview with the families is part of a week-long TODAY series called, “Where Are They Now?” that explores news stories that captivated a nation through the eyes of the people who experienced them.

Kenny Sr. will never forget that day when the septuplets were born nine weeks prematurely on November 19 in Des Moines, Iowa, joining their older sister, Mikayla, who is now 19 and married.

“For me it was seeing each one of the kids come out of thewomb,” Kenny said. “It was really quite a sight to see that.”

The McCaugheys received an enormous outpouring of support following their birth, receiving donations of a large house, a van, nanny services and more. They even received a call from then-President Bill Clinton and the offer of full college scholarships to any state university in Iowa, which the septuplets are now poised to accept.

“I think early on we had so much help from family and friends,” Bobbi said. “If there was anything we needed, there was always someone there who was willing to help us. We have a super strong support system. We have a super strong faith that has been the rock that we have had to stand on.”

Every year from their birth until they were 14 years old, the septuplets appeared on a Dateline special. However, Bobbi and Kenny declined to go the reality television route and have lessened the family’s media appearances as the children have gotten older.

“I really want us to be as normal of a family as we can be,” Kenny said. “That’s the best way to raise a family is just the normal, everyday things.”

The children have also carved out their own identities, whether it’s Kenny Jr. being known as the class clown, Joel being thebookworm, or Brandon being known as stubborn and fearless.

“You’re never alone,” Kenny Jr. said. “There’s always someone to talk to and hang out with. That’s what I think is the best.”

“I don’t think there’s a worst part,” Kelsey said. “I’ve enjoyed all of it.”

Source: Today

Can you fill in the missing words in the summary of the story?

In 1997 a (1) ……….. event happened. The world’s first surviving (2) ………… were born. They had their (3) ………… birthday on November 19. They have (4) ……… identities and (5) ……….. dreams. They received a lot of (6) ………. as they were growing up including the offer of full college (7) ……….. they are (8) ……….. to accept now that they are 18. Their dad wanted them to be a (9) ……….. family, because the best way to raise a family is just the normal, (10) ………. things. To have so many brothers and sisters is good because there’s always someone to (11) ………. and (12) …………. with.

Key

1. historic

2. septuplets

3. 18th

4. distinct

5. separate

6. support

7. scholarships

8. poised

9. normal

10. everyday

11. talk to

12. hang out

Vocabulary

surviving

életben maradt

septuplets

hetes ikrek

distinct

egymástól elkülönülő

identity

identitás, lét

to make history

történelmet írni

emotional

elérzékenyülő

historic

történelmi jelentőségű

heartache

szomorúság, fájdalom

to explore

felfedezni, feltárni

to captivate

meghódít, megragad

womb

anyaméh

outpouring

zúduló, ömlő

support

támogatás

nanny

gyerekvigyázó, dadus

to be poised to

szándékában áll

faith

hit

rock

kőszikla

to decline

visszautasítani

to lessen

csökkenteni

to carve out

kifaragni

bookworm

könyvmoly

stubborn

makacs

fearless

félelmet nem ismerő

to hang out with

lógni valakivel

Kapcsolódó anyagok