CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1939, Page 6

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

WAIRARAPA BRANCH HALF-YEARLY REPORT OF EXECUTIVE. MANY NEW CASES DEALT WITH. In connection with the Crippled Children Society, the executive committee of the Wairarapa branch report considerable increased activity during the six months from April to September. being the first half of the cuirent financial year. During the period under review 14 new cases were added to the register, making a total as at September 30 of 85 cases for our district. Regular fortnightly meetings of the executive have been well attended by members and the results of the society's activities have been more promising and widely spread throughout the district than at any other time during its existence. Thirty-six cases have received assistance either medically. vocationally or by education. Several cripples have undergone, or are undergoing, special surgical treatment and most of these, it is pleasing to report, will be very successful. "Without exception, doctors right throughout the district have been most helpful in connection with the work of the society,” states the report, “and on behalf of the community we express to them very sincere appreciation for their sympathetic and generous assistance to these unfortunate sufferers. Close contact has been maintained with the Wairarapa Hospital Board whose co-operation can be relied upon at all times, and we record the personal interest and assistance rendered by the Secretary-Manager, Superintendent and staff. Vocational and educational work have been- very encouraging indeed. The special teacher for the crippled children at the Masterton Public Hospital is doing excellent work and the Education Department is to be complimented for its help in this direction. A number of other children are receiving education by correspondence courses or special classes and good progress is being made in all cases. “In various parts of the district voluntary assistance has been responsible for training some of our crippled children in handcrafts. This is proving very well worth while and is being actively encouraged wherever possible. The work of the Welfare Officer. Mrs S. N. Kilgour, during the period has been excellent. Personal visits by her to all the children at least twice during the period have been made. Advice is given to parents, books, toys and fruit are taken where the circumstances make it desirable and each child is regularly watched to ensure that the most sympathetic treatment is given to its special needs. We believe that the periodic visits of the Welfare Officer are a great help and encouragement, not only to the crippled children, but to the parents as well. It will be noted that expenditure for the half-year at £lOO 9s 8d has exceeded the income by approximately £6. During the next half-year it is estimated that the excess of expenditure will amount to approximately £l5O. This is ‘ due mainly to non-recurring -commitments which have already been entered into for special surgical work, and it is anticipated that the results will fully justify this expenditure.

“The financial resources of the society will be very considerably reduced by the end of the year, but your | committee feels that good results are being obtained, and that many crippled children who would otherwise have been without hope, are now facing the future in the sure knowledge that they can become useful citizens. Further funds are required for the work to proceed satisfactorily and additional members at the minimum subscription of 5s per year would be welcomed. "We record also with thanks the assistance of Mr P. Fagan and his staff with transport arrangements, the Press for their ready help, and last but not least our secretary, Mr L. F. Gray, who keeps everything up to date all the time.” The report is signed for the committee by Mr E. M. Hodder (chairman!. The Welfare Officer (Mrs S. N. Kilgour) reports as follows: —During the last six months 243 visits have been paid to homes: 724 miles travelled by car. A clinic was held on September 28 and 10 cases received examination by specialists. The Kaituna and Sol-way-Manaia Institutes were visited and addressed on the work of the society. Various outings were arranged for crippled children such as the Diggers’ Market on July 14. Wairarapa Schools’ Exhibition of Handcrafts on August 8. and the Y.M.C.A. Mother and Daughter Tea. Pensions were obtained for two cripples. Arrangements were made for crippled children all over the district to do various pieces of handcraft work, and 40 of these articles were sent forward to the Centennial Exhibition. The fulltime teacher in the Public Hospital is doing wonderful work and I do appreciate her help in many ways. Locally, and in the surrounding districts, it has been a great pleasure to associate with those who identify themselves with our crippled children and I desire to acknowledge the help and encouragement I have received from them. I would like to thank all those who in any way have Contributed to the work of my society in making outings possible, and by gifts of books, clothing, toys, etc.; also all the hospital staffs throughout the district, doctors. Plunket and District nurses and schoolmasters, and Mrs F. Reynolds and Mrs R. Whyborn. who have been a tower of strength to my work."