I am pleased with the strides our civilization has made in 2022, recognizing that progress comes in various forms. While acknowledging that certain aspects of the past were better, it’s crucial to highlight that some elements of bygone eras belong precisely where they are, in the past.
In the 19th century, “freak shows” were a popular attraction, considered a regular part of American society. These mobile circuses showcased individuals deemed “odd”, such as bearded women and Siamese twins. Mary Ann Bevan, labeled the “Ugliest Woman in the World”, emerged as one of these attractions, and her poignant life story emphasizes the need to remember and learn from such historical missteps.
While human curiosity about individuals with different ethnicities or physical abilities has existed throughout history, exploiting them for profit is ethically wrong, regardless of the time period. In the 19th century, audiences flocked to witness people with deformities in “freak shows”, an unsettling trend that persisted from the 1840s to the 1940s without widespread moral objection.
Mary Ann Bevan’s story unfolded in this challenging period. Born as Mary Ann Webster on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, she grew up in a working-class household, one of eight children. Unlike her brothers, who found employment when they reached adulthood, Mary Ann pursued education, graduating from medical school and beginning her career as a nurse in 1894.
Her life took a positive turn when she married Thomas Bevan in 1902, and together, they experienced the joys of raising four children. However, tragedy struck after 14 years of marriage when Thomas suffered a stroke and passed away. Left alone with her children, Mary Ann faced additional challenges as she grappled with a rare condition known as acromegaly, which affected her physical appearance.
Acromegaly, characterized by the overproduction of growth hormone, leads to enlarged body tissues and bones. Mary Ann exhibited symptoms around the age of 32, and with limited knowledge about the condition at the time, she struggled to find help. Unlike the typical manifestation of acromegaly after puberty, Mary Ann’s ailment affected her face, altering her features.
Despite her hardships, Mary Ann initially found solace in her family and received support from her husband. However, after Thomas’s death, the disease’s impact worsened, rendering her unemployable due to her changed appearance. Desperate to provide for her children, Mary Ann responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking the “Ugliest woman” for a circus.
Claude Bartram, an agent for Barnum and Bailey, selected Mary Ann based on her photograph and offered her a contract that included a weekly salary, travel expenses, and proceeds from picture postcard sales. Mary Ann’s journey to America in 1920 marked the beginning of her fame as “The Ugliest Woman on Earth”, with appearances at the Coney Island Circus.
Despite objections to the morality of using individuals with physical differences for entertainment, Mary Ann became a sensation, earning significant income. The financial success allowed her to provide her children with education in England, fulfilling her commitment as a devoted mother. Mary Ann’s resilience and sacrifice epitomize true beauty and maternal love.
Returning to France in 1925 for an exhibition, Mary Ann spent the remainder of her life in New York, working at the Coney Island Dreamland Show. She passed away in 1933 from natural causes at the age of 59, fulfilling her dying wish to be buried in her native country, laid to rest at South London’s Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery.
Mary Ann Bevan’s story is a testament to her unwavering determination to support her family. In a time without modern benefits, she worked tirelessly, embodying the selflessness of a mother who prioritizes her children above all. May Mary Ann rest in peace, a deserving tribute to a woman whose life exemplified sacrifice and maternal love.
The pilot’s emotional reaction when he discovered why birds were flying alongside the plane
For many years, a man by the name of Jason has been a pilot.
Throughout his career, he has encountered a lot of unforeseen circumstances that called for quick thinking to be resolved. But he became a hero in one specific circumstance.
A massive flock of birds suddenly attacked the aircraft Jason was piloting during a trip, banging on the windows and making a racket.
Jason was shocked by the sight because it was so unique. He tried to escape the angry birds, but it wasn’t as simple as he thought it would be because he knew the passengers’ lives were in his hands.
He prayed that the birds wouldn’t harm the engine while he attempted to reassure everyone on board that everything would go perfectly.
Unfortunately, the birds were just becoming more and more hostile, leaving Jason unsure of what to do to get rid of them.
When he requested help from flight control, the control tower remained silent.
He decided to head back to the airport since he couldn’t keep the jet under control, but as the attacks grew more intense, he was eventually compelled to try a maneuver he had never done before: a water landing.
No matter how absurd that might sound, it was the only option that made sense to this pilot.
No passengers were hurt despite the rocky landing.
Once rescuers arrived, tugboats were sent to the area to help lift the jet out of the sea. Each passenger was brought to safety, but it took some time for this rescue operation to get underway because the bird attacks persisted. The birds resisted the rescue services’ attempts to scare them for an unknown reason, despite their persistence.
It was finally determined after an investigation what caused the flock of birds to attack the plane. The person who was attempting to smuggle some birds and was engaged in the illegal trade in exotic birds was revealed to be one of the passengers.
Jason was relieved and started crying tears of joy when everything came to an end and he realized everyone was safe. He not only averted a disaster, but also revealed a criminal enterprise.
This is simply another illustration of the difficulties those working in aviation encounter. Jason received admiration for his deed and his capacity to maintain composure and concentration while working to ensure the safety of every passenger on board.
This individual was solely responsible for ending the illicit enterprise that was the root of the unusual behavior of the birds.
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