News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2001 CNO
SALINA, OK - Something is in the water in Salina, where 17 sets of twins participate in a Cherokee Nation nutrition program and three more sets of twins are on the way.The twins range in age from 3 months to 5 years old. All participate in the Cherokee Nation Women, Infants and Children
program at the A-mo Community Clinic in Salina. At a recent reception, the children and their parents gathered for a special reception that included a photo session, snacks, door prizes, and the chance to meet other parents of twins in their area for the first time.
"This is very unusual to be serving that many sets of twins at one time," said Brenda Carter, WIC director for the Cherokee Nation. "But we are very glad to have them all."
Sally and Brandon Frailey of Locust Grove, currently have the youngest set of twins in the WIC program, Jaysie and Sidney, who are 3 months old.
"I think the hardest part so far has been trying to keep them both on the same schedule," said Sally Frailey. "I am also always worried about if I am spending to much time with one and not the other."
Dee and Danny Wadlow of Salina have an 11 year old, aside from their 4-year-old twin sons, Kevin and Kaleb.
"It has been easier for me to raise our twins than it was raising our 11 year old," said Dee Wadlow. "With twins they seem to do everything together."
Eliza Carroll of Salina brought her twin girls, Shelby and Gracie, who are ten months old. "Lucky enough I also have a 6 and a 3 year old who can help with the girls, " Carroll said. "With twins though, it is just like you hear people say, 'Double Everything', double teething at the same time was the hardest. But after a while you just get used to it all."
Vivian Pearson, WIC Specialist in Salina has been working with the WIC program for nearly 23 years. She became known as "Mother WIC," and now answers to "Grandma WIC" as she has seen some of the children she helped early in her career beginning to come back to utilize WIC themselves.
"I thoroughly enjoy my job and the chance to see new children every day," Pearson said. "This meeting of twins was an opportunity for everyone to come together for this unique event, which may not happen again for a long time."
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma |