CARE OF CRIPPLED CHILDREN.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1938, Page 6

CARE OF CRIPPLED CHILDREN.

A CORRESPONDENT whose letter appears in another column today appeals for some hard hitting on behalf of the Wairarapa branch of the Crippled Children Society. The occasion, however, calls less, perhaps, for hard hitting than for a gentle reminder to the many who surely must be very willing to respond to the pathetic call that crippled children make upon their sympathy. It may be supposed that this is a community in which a considerable number of people sympathise with cripples and are prepared to give expression to their sympathy in a practical way. Yet, as our correspondent observes, the annual meeting ot the AVairarapa branch of the society, called recently, was attended only by two ladies, apart from members of the executive. There surely must be many people in the Wairarapa, both men and women, who will feel personally eager to improve upon this sorry state of affairs. They will have an opportunity of doing so on May 17 next, the date to which the annual meeting was postponed.

Although it is a comparatively new organisation, the Wairarapa branch of the Crippled Children Society, thanks to the well-directed efforts of its capable executive committee, has already established a creditable record of useful work. The annual report, which was published recently in our news columns, showed that the society had registered 65 cripples in its district and, at the date of the report, had dealt with 47 of these, in many instances rendering needed assistance. Though the claims and needs of those who are capable of little progress or improvement are not overlooked, the society in many cases is able to assist cripples in educational and other efforts by which ultimately they will largely overcome their disability. This is work splendidly worth supporting and extending. If it is to be supported and extended as it should be in the AVairarapa, the membership of the district branch of the society must be built up. A good first step in that direction will be taken if there is a satisfactory attendance at the adjourned annual meeting.