Ella Harper suffered from a highly uncommon medical condition called congenital genu recurvatum, which caused her knees to bend in the opposite direction. As a result, she found it more comfortable to move on all fours. In 1886, Harper joined a circus as a performer. She earned a reported $200 per week, which is equivalent to over $6,500 today. A bio card distributed to circus spectators included the following information about her: "I am called the camel girl because my knees turn backward. I can walk best on my hands and feet, as you see me in the picture. I have traveled considerably in the show business for the past four years, and now in 1886, I intend to quit the show business, go to school, and prepare myself for another occupation."