The touching story of Frida the half-girl, one of the last stars of the freak show era
Modern people perceive "freak shows" and human zoos as medieval savagery. However, the ban on such shows was introduced relatively recently - in the middle of the 20th century. And this decision had two sides. On the one hand, it protected human dignity, and on the other, it left many artists with disabilities without work and means of support. One of such artists was Frieda Pushnik, the last celebrity with body anomalies in the United States.
Frieda Pushnik was born on February 10, 1923, in Conemaugh, Pennsylvania. The girl was born without limbs. Frieda later claimed that her disability was the fault of doctors who unsuccessfully removed her mother's appendix during pregnancy. The girl's family even tried to sue the clinic, but to no avail. Most likely, it was a genetic anomaly, and doctors had nothing to do with it.
Frida Pushnik demonstrated amazing willpower from childhood. She refused to consider herself a helpless cripple and persistently mastered self-care skills. Frida's mother supported her daughter in everything, and together they achieved significant success. By the age of seven, Frida could eat, sew, knit, and play with healthy children.
Surprisingly, Frida Pushnik had perfect calligraphic handwriting. She won several state prizes in competitions, competing with healthy children. At the same time, Frida wrote, holding the pen between her shoulder and chin. But the girl herself could not walk, and her mother carried her to school in the morning, and her older brother picked her up.
Frida Pushnik became famous in 1933 thanks to Robert L. Ripley, a famous hunter of curiosities and travelers. Having visited the girl’s family, he was amazed by her tenacity, sewing skills and beautiful handwriting. Ripley invited Frida to the World’s Fair in Chicago, where she went with her mother and sister. Her performances at the fair brought financial support to the family, and Frida herself – fame and a sense of moral satisfaction.
After the World Exhibition, Frida Pushnik began touring with various circuses, traveling with her mother. She discovered a huge and amazing world, proving once again that her illness was not a death sentence. During her performances, Frida showed short numbers that lasted only five minutes, but took place every hour. Sometimes she had to spend 16 hours a day in the circus or theater, and sleep and dine there.
Frida demonstrated her amazing skills: she sewed, knitted, wrote with a pen, drew with colored pencils and paints. Over six years of touring, her shows were attended by more than 6 million viewers. Frida's earnings exceeded all expectations. Additional income came from photographs of Frida, which she decorated with her elegant signature.
The apotheosis of Frida's career was a contract with the legendary Barnum and Bailey Circus. Her sister, who became an acrobat, joined the performances. Her mother, as before, was nearby, helping her daughters and performing the duties of secretary, art director and costume designer. The girl without limbs performed for Barnum under the stage name "Frida the Half-Girl".
In 1944, Frida's life was almost cut short. A massive fire broke out in the circus, killing 167 people. Fortunately, she was saved, carried out of the burning building along with her chair. Frida continued to perform until 1955, when a law came into force in the United States prohibiting the display of physical abnormalities in shows.
Frida Pushnik lost her job and hope for the future in one day. Although she had savings, they quickly dried up. She moved to Costa Mesa, California, where she lived a secluded life, avoiding attention and refusing interviews. Her passion became painting, to which Frida devoted herself completely.
Frida Pushnik spent the last years of her life in extreme poverty. She never married, her parents were dead, and her relatives showed no interest in her fate. Frida lived on a modest allowance from the state and sometimes earned money by selling her paintings. She passed away on December 24, 2000, on Christmas Eve, at the age of 77, completely alone. After Frida Pushnik's death, interest in her personality flared up in the United States, but they remembered her too late.
This story makes you think: how can modern society support people with disabilities, helping them not only to survive, but also to realize their talents? Share your thoughts and ideas!