The tragic yet inspirational story of Mary Ann Bevan highlights the enduring power of parental love and sacrifice while exposing the darker side of 19th-century entertainment. In 1874, Mary Ann was born in East London’s Plaistow. When she began exhibiting symptoms of acromegaly, a rare condition characterized by an excess of growth hormone production, her world was turned upside down.
Mary Ann’s life took a challenging turn when her husband passed away, leaving her to raise her four children alone and deal with the physical and psychological affects of acromegaly while having a promising future as a nurse. Due to the negative connotations associated with her appearance, Mary Ann encountered increasing difficulty in obtaining employment, prompting her to undertake extreme measures to support her family.
In an odd turn of events, Mary Ann answered an advertisement placed in the newspaper by Claude Bartram, an agent for Barnum and Bailey’s circus, seeking the “ugliest woman.” At first, Mary Ann accepted the offer grudgingly, but later, her great desire to provide for her children left her with little alternative.
When Mary Ann embarked on her journey with the circus, she received both respect and derision from the general public. She gained notoriety at Coney Island Circus as “The Ugliest Woman on Earth,” mesmerizing audiences with her uplifting story and resilient demeanor. Beneath the façade, however, was a lady grappling with concerns of exploitation and societal criticism.
Regardless matter the level of financial success Mary Ann achieved, her legacy is characterized by her selflessness and love for her children. With the money she made, she gave her kids a brighter future by sending them to an English boarding school, all the while keeping herself in the limelight of the circus.
Mary Ann’s narrative illustrates the morally complex entertainment industry, where human curiosity and exploitation intersect. Although her employment with the circus provided her with only brief financial security, her narrative demonstrates the enduring power of mother love and selflessness in the face of adversity.
Mary Ann, who passed away in 1933 at the age of 59, left behind a legacy of determination and fortitude. Her ultimate resting place in South London’s Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery is proof of her enduring spirit and the long-lasting impact of her amazing journey.
Born without a nose: This is what Tessa Evans looks like at 10 years old
Tessa Evans, who was born on February 14, 2013, was born without a nose, a rare condition that has sparked admiration and affection from her family and people around the world.
Tessa’s unique condition is known as Bosma Arhinia Microphthalmia Syndrome (BAMS) and there are fewer than 100 documented cases worldwide. Despite the rarity and complexity of her condition, her mother praises Tessa’s “charming” behavior and her “remarkable courage”.
Eight years into her journey, Tessa has become a symbol of resilience. She continues to do well and embrace life to the fullest, despite the challenges presented by her condition, which includes the inability to smell or breathe through her nose.
However, she can still cough, sneeze and catch colds. “It was pretty amusing the first time she sneezed”, recalls her father Nathan, “but we realized it was actually coming from her chest, which was a small but reassuring sign of normality”.
Tessa’s parents, Grainne and Nathan Evans, were stunned when their Valentine’s baby was born without a nose as the pregnancy was uneventful and there were no signs of problems.
A native of Maghera, Ireland, Tessa’s condition required immediate medical intervention. At less than two weeks old, she underwent surgery to insert a tracheostomy tube so she could eat and sleep comfortably.
At just two years old, Tessa achieved a medical milestone when she became the first person to receive a cosmetic nasal implant, marking a significant advance in the field and a remarkable solution to her rare condition.
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