Comments on: Dionne Quintuplets

By: katelyn

katelyn — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:41:03 +0000

their story was very sad !

By: Margaret Waite

Margaret Waite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:15:52 +0000

After my mother passes this last month (age 88) I found among her belongings a large 2″ thick scrapbook she kept full of clippings of the Dionnne Quints when they were babies. 100’s of pictures. I didn’t know anythiing was special about them before finding this book. It was heartbreaking to read about what they went through. It’s a wonder any of them had their sanity left. I hope the remaining sisters were/are able to find happiness. For my mother to keep such a large collection told me how important they were.

By: noelani

noelani — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:37:39 +0000

I was interested in the Dionne quints from the time I was very young, because of seeing article about them in a scrapbook that had been kept by my great-grandmother, which was kept in the attic of my grandparents’ home.

Something I have found interesting, but not seen much discussion of, is that when the girls were born, mothers from a fairly large area would donate their breast milk. This was shipped by train to the babies. At that time, infant formulas were very primitive, most consisting of watered down evaporated milk with corn syrup added. I believe the donated breast milk played a big role in allowing all five babies to survive the newborn period.

I also know that the odds were stacked especially high against these babies, because of the fact that four of them were part of two pairs of monoamniotic twins. That is where the babies not only share a placenta, but same amniotic sac. The death rate in undiagnosed monoamniotic twins is very high, because of the likelihood of the umbillical cords getting tangled and the circulation through them being cut off.

I have noticed that, although they looked identical as little girls, Emilie became easier and easier to pick out, by the time they reached puberty. Emilie was epileptic. I have wondered if the medication she was taking contributed to her developing the thicker eyebrows and larger features that set her apart from her sisters during the latter part of her life.

I hope the surviving sisters are well and enjoying life.

By: tb

tb — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:15:07 +0000

its sad to think what these innocent children went through. They say the eyes are the window to the soul and when i looked at a picture of these beautiful women in their older age, it astounds me at how sad they look. Their eyes have not changed since childhood. My heart aches for the lack of humanity, the lack of innocence allowed. How children are exposed, abused in all ways and in all eras. One writes above how aweful the dust bowl was, we should write how aweful the 21st century is. Neighbors ignoring neighbors. No formalities, manners, or personal touch. Internet, texting and “personal space” more often then needed. How a hug and quality time that these young women missed in their young age, our children miss because of work, tv, and the business of society. How abuse seems to us a normality back then, however neglect is a normalcy, children kidnapped out of their yards, abused by relatives, a “lock key” kids allowed to raise themselves and the bible is a swear no a days. there is not a better time now, its just different. And these dear women had a horrible part of it. If you read this Annette and Cecil. My heart is with you, and so are my prayers. The loss you have had through out your life thus far, no one should have to go through.

By: Nxy

Nxy — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:59:26 +0000

My Mom, born in ‘21, was fascinated with the quints..she saved some newspaper articles about them dated 7/30/35 (Ventura County Star), 9/6/35 and one without a date but when they were about a year old. Anyone interested in them can contact me.

By: Carrisa

Carrisa — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:34:03 +0000

My great grandmother is the Dionne quintuplets cousin. So that makes me like their 4th cousin

By: Abysmal Cheshire

Abysmal Cheshire — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:58:22 +0000

I have heard of worse stories, yes, but then again I have been researching the Dust Bowl and for a single child to live is wonderous. And five of them did. How nice.

Still, death I am used to. So much, so much. Still, a saddening story, yes. So glad two of them lived.

By: f brown

f brown — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:11:13 +0000

the years before 1960 for especially girls sometimes boys were what todays called abusive. at age 8 up at 4am pick cherries then to the canning room to pit
cherries.
pull a sack on the shoulder to pick cotton at age 12.
whippings on the bare back of a 8 year old. work in hot summer sun
hoeing potatoes whipped to stop to get a drink used bible scripture to
control . then demand care of these abusive parents in old age.
boys were done no less the beatings the hunger the filth no tv no radio
no books no sheets on beds no underclothes for girls .
ragged dirty no electric no heat in winter no indoor water or toilet
animals put in sack thrown in creek to drown.
go to church and pray to not be so bad.
no refridgerator no bus service . dumped in bd. school made to work
for rm. and bd. not allowed girls to be educated.
put out soon as old enough law allowed.
hide from parents or wife hide from husband from abuse.
live on gravy and rice and biscuits and potatoes. made fun of by peers.
shoe soles full of holes. clothes passed down to girls that fit old women
clothes to big. moved every 3 months. afraid, hungry ignorant not keep up experiance wise with peers. every thing of the world was a sin.
severe guilt put on a child called carnal born bad. no medical care no dental care
not allowed to talk to boys afraid of males.
then asked to care for them in old age. inheritance stolen that was from grandma.

By: Amely-13

Amely-13 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:20:55 +0000

We touched on an advertising of Palmolive with them on it, but its only until now that I have done some reasearch. what terrible childhood, poor them. but they were adorible; always smilling, joyful and happy, but this is yet again a nother example that there is more than meets the eye.

By: ximena

ximena — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:16:28 +0000

i cant believe what these people did to the Dionne Quintuplets. There human being not animals for them to put them in a cage. They have rights like we do but i hope when they were growing up they realize what they did to the Dionne Quintuplets that the girls shouldnt do that to other people dont treat other people like that. Now your are still beautiful like you were in your childhood just keep on living your life .
This is a very sad story but a good story for people to realize and think that they shouldnt leave there kids with a stranger maniac to fight for there kids if its the last thing you have to do.