PHOTO GALLERY: Mulekicker Cloggers prepare to perform at the Boone County Fair
July 23, 2012 | 5:53 p.m. CDT
The Mulekicker Cloggers have been dancing together for more than 25 years. One of the group's members, Jackie Cole, has credited dancing to keeping her alive through her battle with cancer.
Jackie Cole, center, practices the choreography Wednesday with the Mulekicker Cloggers in the Plum Room at Fulton State Hospital. Cole has been dancing with the group since 1994. “It keeps me alive,” she said. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. “If it weren’t for clogging, I don’t think I’d be here,” she said.
| Tatiana Fernandez
Gabriel Brink, 9, Linda Kronk's grandson visiting from South Dakota, watches his grandmother, front left, and the other Mulekicker Cloggers rehearse Wednesday in the Plum Room at Fulton State Hospital. The group has been rehearsing every Wednesday since they started dancing more than 25 years ago.
| Tatiana Fernandez
The Mulekicker Cloggers have been dancing to some of the same songs since their creation, but they also like to include new choreography in their mix. This year, at the Boone County Fair, they will be dancing to Train's pop song "Hey, Soul Sister."
| Tatiana Fernandez
Jackie Cole and Pam Wright enjoy the air from the fan while standing in position before rehearsing their next dance. Cole said she prefers not to wear a wig because it is hot, it messes up her glasses’ temples and it makes her cap not fit over her head. “People are more friendly when you don’t have hair,” she added.
| Tatiana Fernandez
A Mulekicker Cloggers sticker decorates the back of Cole's car. All the members have this sticker on their vehicles.
| Tatiana Fernandez
Cole gets chemotherapy July 3 at the Jefferson City Medical Group. She has been going in for treatment every Tuesday for the past four years. "This is my second family," Cole said about the nurses.
| Tatiana Fernandez
Cole and Mary Keeney, oncology social worker for Ali Khojasteh, laugh at one of Cole's jokes. “I’m Mrs. Clean!” Cole said making a reference to the hairless man in the cleaning solution’s logo. "And she's Mrs. Wonderful," she then said about Keeney.
| Tatiana Fernandez
Cole puts up her feet toward the end of her chemotherapy session. Her feet can't reach the floor. "This chair... I ain't sitting here anymore unless they put something to push me forward!" she said.
| Tatiana Fernandez
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