RE-EDUCATING BLIND FIGHTERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 3

RE-EDUCATING BLIND FIGHTERS

At a Red, Cross meeting In London, presided over by-the Lord Mayor, subscriptions amounting to 'the astonishing sum of £87,455 were announced (states the London correspondent of the Sydney "Telegraph"). This is believed to be the largest sum' ever raised at a single gathering for any charitable purpose, and it brings the joint "fund of the Red Cross Society and St.' John Ambulance Association to oyer; £1,400,000. I thjnk one of the finest charities of to-day is that in operation at St. Dunstan's, Regents Park, where soldiers and sailors, blinded through the war, are being taught to begin life, over again. The instructors employed are themselves blind,, so that they have a peculiar understanding of the difficulties confronting these men of ours —never such heroes as now ivhen they are facing hot death but life in darkness, and facing it with such'wonderful cheerfulness and courage., Braille reading and writing and typewriting are taught,' and also carpentry,'boot repairing, mat and basket making, massage, and telephony. It is found that'.blind 1 people become exceedingly skilful at massage, and can compete with experts on their own ground. Just now.'the opening for massage is simply unlimited, so that the occupation mould.grove a really paying one. Poultry-farming.-... and markel? gardening are taught by the blind expert, Captain Webber.; Through ingenious arrangements of gates, pens, railings,'coops, .etc!, the . blind , poultryfarmer is enabled to run the whole business himself, catch any bird he wishes, transfer the birds from one yard to another, collect the eggs,' etc. It sounds magical, 'doesn't' it? There is a good stretch of water on the premises, and here-., rowing, is ■ exercise which appeals especially to'the blind, as it enables the'm -to-feel > that "they are conducting' other people instead'of being themselves conducted." Chief credit for this .whole, splendid undertaking belongs to Mr. C. Arthur Pearson, who is himself blind.,