EARLIMART, Calif. — Joaquin Flores is thought to be one of the last babies born in 2017, with a birth time of 11:58 p.m on Dec. 31.
Gitana Flores was one of the first babies born in 2018 at 12:16 a.m. on Jan. 1.
They are twins, but they couldn't be any more different.
Two years since their birth, we caught up with them again.
"They're different because she has problems its not the same with her,” said Maria Flores, the twins’ mother, “we have to take her to a lot of medical appointments she doesn't walk or independize herself like her brother he goes everywhere and eats regular food but she doesn't."
Since their birth, the family has struggled to transition to a new way of life.
"We live very hard, I can't work because I just had surgery and my husband works twice a week because there isn't much work," said Maria.
Maria just underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder and Joaquin Flores, her husband, said it’s a low season for the farmworks, making it difficult to financially support the medical and growing needs of their children.
"I spent mostly driving two hours,” said Joaquin, “and we need food and gas and all the costs there's just times we dont have and we have to ask for a loan,"
Gitana has physical therapy for her cerebral condition at least four times a month at the Valley Children's Hospital in Madera.
"This year we didn't celebrate since she just got surgery we didn't do anything," Joaquin said.
The family says health and finances paused the birthday celebrations this year, but with the help of their older daughter they make the most of their circumstances.
"We work for them,” Joaquin said, “nothing more.”
