HEROIC BLIND.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18420, 29 June 1925, Page 14

HEROIC BLIND.

OVERCOMING THEIR HANDICAPS. In an article in tho Auckland "Herald" on tho remarkable manner in which blind people overcome their handicap, Mr Clutha Mackenzie says: "I could take you to the farm of & man who lost his sight in a blasting accident" threo years ago. Ho bought the farm last year, tho place having been greatly neglected for some years. He has refenoed it with fences as straight and taut as anyone could wish., regrassed several paddocks, tririimed straggling hedgerows, cut scrub and blackberry, and rooted out a prehistoric orchard. And, of course, has carried through the daily routine of the dairy farmer, all with the assistance of one boy employee. I have visited hjs milking shed, smoothly concreted by himself. Ho goes to it alone, sends his dog for the cows, 22 iii number, at the height of the season, milks them, separates and cleans up, without any sighted persons giving him the slightest help. I*"e is tall and muscular, he has knowledge, courage, and hope. To him the world has lost none of its glory; he sees none of the black pall walling him in. ... I can tell of many

others—of poultry farmers who alone and unassisted, have maintained themselves for years; of dairy farmers with families of small children to support, who have never admitted defeat ; and there is an old man of nearly 70 living alone in the country, who, growing his own willows, makes his living by his baskets. Nor will he apply for a pension. He will maintain his independence as. long as he can, he says, and he has done this for 45 years."