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| CATHERINE VIRGINIA McDONALD |
| Little Catherine was one of a family of five kids born in Lebanon Church, northern Virginia, to Mahlon and Alvira McDonald. Catherine was born with an incomplete, undeveloped twin joined to her in the chest area. Of course it was immediately discussed if removing the "parasitic twin" was a possibility but doctors agreed it would be too risky on a neonate and that the parents would be advised to wait at least a year. One year later, Mom and family physician Dr. Sam Starr made their way to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to once again discuss the advisability of removing the imperfect twin from it's host. They consulted with Dr. Richard Follis, then chief of the surgical clinic and a national authority on this type of conjoined twinning. His advice to the parents was not what they were hoping to hear. Surgeon's were willing to attempt the extremely dangerous operation but the odds were slim that little Catherine would survive. Mom and Dad, not willing to risk losing their daughter, took her home and eventually decided to put her on exhibition, perhaps in an effort to repay all the medical bills and recoup all the expenses they had incurred since the birth of their little one. For four years Catherine successfully and profitably was exhibited at fairs and other venues until November of 1915. The child, who was normally in good health, developed tonsilitis and "the croup". Her illness progressed rapidly. And ultimately proved fatal. Little Catherine passed away in the home of her parents. She had recently celebrated her 5th birthday. |
| Photo probably taken at around 1 yr old. Her normal left leg and right leg are spread far apart.Everything between is her twin. |
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