I was born in Paris, Texas, November 26, 1919, of Scotch-Irish parentage. My mother was not frightened by a seal or anything else, not even the size of the hospital bill. People often ask me what caused my deformity. My mother was very ill in 1918 (the year of the flu epidemic in the United States) and did not have enough strength for me to develop normally. When I was born my 'arms' were very like the flippers of a seal, with hands which were tough paddles in which the fingers could hardly be discerned. Through operations and plastic surgery the web tissue was cut away, exposing my fingers with fingernails.

I was quite a tomboy when I was a youngster and one of my earliest memories is playing baseball with my brothers. It was with great sorrow that I could not climb trees, but in swimming I excelled, of course. Swimming and diving is one of my greatest sports.

In the facts-of-life department; I am capable of taking care of myself in all ways. My entire body is quite limber and I have more than usual muscle control.

It is only above the waist that my body is unlike yours.

Thank you.

(text from Seala's autobiographical pamphlet)