Powerful Testimonies from World's First Surviving Septuplets as They Graduate from High School

Leah Marieann Klett : May 26, 2016
Gospel Herald

Two of the septuplets, Alexis and Nathan, have overcome overwhelming odds despite being born with forms of cerebral palsy: Nathan taught himself how to walk, and Alexis still uses a walker but went on to become the co-captain of her high school cheerleading squad. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

(Carlisle, IA)—[Gospel Herald] The septuplets who sparked a nationwide abortion debate before their 1997 birth have graduated high school and credited their faith in God for allowing them to thrive despite overwhelming odds. (Photo Credit: Rachel Mummey/The Register/via Gospel Herald)

Kenny, Kelsey, Natalie, Brandon, Alexis, Nathan, and Joel accepted their diplomas at the Carlisle High School in Iowa, the Des Moines Register reported.

Their story quickly became national news back in November 1997, as they were the first set of septuplets to survive past infancy, all born weighing between two and four pounds.

Parents Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey used fertility drugs to conceive but rejected any idea of selection reduction upon learning that they would be having seven children instead of one or two, saying it was 'in God's hands.'

"I will always remember the day we found out there were so many," Bobbi recalled back in 2013. "It wasn't like 'yahoo!' There were so many doubts. To a lot of people this might sound trite, but God determined the outcome. We've built a good foundation that wouldn't have happened had that situation not occurred. So the message is let God use you. It doesn't have to be something that makes national news." 

At the time, the family received generous donations including... 

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