Eli Bowen - The Legless Acrobat Who Proved That Nothing Is Impossible

Acrobatics is traditionally considered an activity for healthy, agile and physically developed people. But there have been cases in history that have broken all ideas about this sport. American Eli Bowen was born without legs, which did not prevent him from successfully earning a living with acrobatic numbers. And in general, this guy lived a life that many healthy men could not even dream of.

Eli Bowen was born on October 14, 1844, in Ohio, USA, into a large family. He had 10 brothers and sisters, but he was the only one unlucky enough to be born with an anomaly – phocomelia syndrome. Eli had no thighs or shins at all, and his feet grew directly from his pelvis.

Despite his physical disability, Eli grew up very active. The boy learned to move quickly with his hands and managed not only to play with his peers, but also to help his parents with the housework. In order not to rub his palms on the ground, he would take wooden blocks in his hands and lean on them. His father and mother were worried about their son's future, fearing that after their death he would be of no use to anyone and would end up in an orphanage. But fate decreed otherwise, and their fears were in vain.

Every child has a dream, and Eli Bowen was no exception. He dreamed of becoming a world-famous acrobat. But his talk about it often caused ridicule from those around him. Where did you see a legless cripple being a circus acrobat? In the opinion of most, all that Bowen had in store was to become an exhibit in a freak show.

Eli didn't care that no one believed in him. He trained hard - on the horizontal bar, parallel bars and right on the floor. First, he learned to do different handstands on two and one hand, then he began to do somersaults. The strong arms that the boy used to move around coped well with the loads.

At the age of 13, Eli Bowen performed in public for the first time. His debut took place in a circus at a fair, and the guy immediately won success. After that, the legless acrobat began performing in different circuses, signing short-term contracts. His first serious place of work was the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Together with his troupe, he toured the States, Canada and Mexico, and then went to Europe.

What delighted Americans did not always find a response in the prim Old World. Europeans, however, warmly welcomed the unusual athlete. In England, France, Italy and Germany, Eli Bowen became a favorite of the public. He was billed as the "Legless Acrobat" and the "Legless Miracle," and many came to the circus just for him.

Bowen's routine was incredibly varied. He turned his physical handicap into a unique advantage - thanks to the unusual distribution of weight, he could perform fantastic tricks that other acrobats could not. His signature number was the "Pole Trick".

The man, who was only 60 cm tall, climbed a vertically installed 4-meter pole and balanced on its top, leaning on one hand. Then he grabbed the pole with his right hand, positioned his body parallel to the ground and smoothly descended in a spiral. This feat looked incredibly impressive, demonstrating the amazing strength of his arms and exceptional control of his body. Eli Bowen earned $ 100 a week - an impressive amount at that time.

In addition to strength and agility, the legless acrobat was endowed with an attractive appearance. For several years in a row, he was even recognized as the most handsome artist in the United States. Eli Bowen was liked by women, and a crowd of fans always gathered around him. At the age of 26, he married a girl named Mattie.

The couple had four absolutely healthy children one after another. Eli turned out to be not only a talented artist, but also a caring husband and father. He devoted all his free time to his family. His love for his wife and children is evidenced by numerous photographs of the happy couple and their offspring.

The professional longevity of a legless athlete is astounding. Eli Bowen performed until he was 80. He could have easily left the circus at 40, since he had accumulated a solid capital and became the owner of two profitable farms in Michigan. But he continued to perform because he loved the stage and his work. Even in the last years of his life, he remained active and energetic.

Eli Bowen died on May 2, 1924, at home, surrounded by his family. That day, he was planning another performance in one of the New York circuses, but fate decreed otherwise. His life is an example of how self-confidence and hard work can overcome any obstacle.

What do you think helps people overcome difficulties: natural abilities, support from loved ones, or strength of spirit? Share your opinion in the comments!