FIVE HUNDRED WOUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 6

FIVE HUNDRED WOUNDS

YCRKSHIREMAN WINS THROUGH. We are constantly hearing of the way in which mon disabled in the war have overcome their handicaps, but rarely have we heard of anything more wonderful than the way a Yorkshireman has triumphed over difficulties. He is Mr Alan Nichols, of Leeds, now living in London. His body is riddled with. 500 shrapnel wounds caused by a bomb exploding in his hands, taking off his hands in a Hash, destroying the sight of both eyes, leaving him deaf in one ear, and shattering him so terribly that it is a wonder he is alive at. all. Rut he is not only alive, he is active and independent: lie is cheerful and eager to be useful. He docs not believe in moping. Ho believes in being busy. Blind and maimed as he is he has cycled behind a friend from London to Leeds in 19 hours. He has won a swimming race at Stratford on Avon. As an official of St Dunstan's, he is always helping others to help themselves: and for 15 years ho has supported himself by his lectures and entertainments, writing his own humourous sketches and delighting his audiences with his genial wit. He has lectured in America on philosophy, psychology, and the use of suggestion in overcoming handicaps; and lie has written a book called “Sons of Victory.” typing the manuscript himself. He lias trained dogs to act as guides to blind men: and lie finds pleasure in his garden which he has designed and made himself. He must be one of the happiest, bravest, and busiest men on earth.