Fascinating Before & After Pics Show How This Woman Changed Lives Of WWI Veterans By ‘Restoring’ Their Faces
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As with any other wars, World War I caused millions soldier and civilian fatalities, as well as countless injuries and disfigurement cases. For the soldiers who came back home having suffered from deformities too severe for facial reconstruction, re-entering the society was an incredibly hard task. Not only because it made their physical lives harder, but it also made them very aware of their looks and other people’s judgment.
Wartime doesn’t always bring out the worst out of humankind, as some people show great compassion and camaraderie during the hardships. One of those compassionate individuals was Anna Coleman Watts Ladd, an American sculptor who moved to France with her husband in 1917. There, she was introduced to Francis Derwent Wood, a sculptor and face mask creator who operated a “Tin Noses Shop” where he helped severely injured WWI veterans. Wood created facial prosthesis for disfigured WWI warriors, giving them a new chance at life. Inspired by his work, Ladd created her own “Studio for Portrait-Masks” where she created portrait-masks and various facial prosthetics for these soldiers in need. Needless to say, her work changed many people’s lives.
Scroll down to learn about this woman’s inspiring work, and take a look at the marvelous before and after photos of soldiers fitted with her state-of-the-art prosthesis.
More info: Rare Historical Photos | Library of Congress
Anna Coleman Watts Ladd was an American sculptor whose work changed many lives
In late 1917, Ladd was inspired by sculptor Francis Derwent Wood who created face masks for severely injured WWI warriors in his “Tin Noses Shop”
After that, Ladd founded the “Studio for Portrait-Masks” where she provided cosmetic masks for badly disfigured WWI soldiers
During this era, injured men battled with the psychological stress of worrying what people would think about their damaged appearance
The so-called mutilés were so wounded, some of their faces were barely recognizable
These victims were referred to as “the most tragic of all war’s victims” since most of them were doomed to a life of total isolation
Using her incredible talent she saved many men and changed their lives forever
In 1932, to honor her charitable work, Ladd was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the French Government
After reading this story, many people were touched by Ladd’s incredible talent
Watch this video to learn more about Ladd’s work!
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This is just wow! Talent and a good heart ... she's incredible. Why haven't I heard about her before? This story should be much widely known.
These guys were given a second chance at a normal life. Amazing
was going to post something about relatives in WW1 - but words escape me
my uncle- who lied about his age to enlist age 15 was gassed age 16 - have never seen an "after! photo - another uncle was sunk 3 times on the atlantic convoys attached is the pic of a 15 yr old WW! soilder with the "thoudand yard stare" who has literally seen it all -- I with I had met you great uncle brisker-5b...1c2994.jpg
made me think of Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire.
Thanks for posting this. My wife and I were trying to remember the name of the show. We remembered the character, but couldn't remember the show.
This is just wow! Talent and a good heart ... she's incredible. Why haven't I heard about her before? This story should be much widely known.
These guys were given a second chance at a normal life. Amazing
was going to post something about relatives in WW1 - but words escape me
my uncle- who lied about his age to enlist age 15 was gassed age 16 - have never seen an "after! photo - another uncle was sunk 3 times on the atlantic convoys attached is the pic of a 15 yr old WW! soilder with the "thoudand yard stare" who has literally seen it all -- I with I had met you great uncle brisker-5b...1c2994.jpg
made me think of Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire.
Thanks for posting this. My wife and I were trying to remember the name of the show. We remembered the character, but couldn't remember the show.