ST. DUNSTAN’S

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 6

ST. DUNSTAN’S

ACTIVITIES FOR THE BLIND MEN '& WOMEN DISABLED IN WAR SERVICE. COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING ’ COURSE. Are the young men and women of this generation more serious-minded than those of the past generation? This question, in so far as the blinded or partially blinded Service man or woman is concerned, is convincingly, answered in the affirmative by Captain Sir lan Fraser, M.P., chairman of St. Dunstan’s, in his annual report of that organisation which is just published. “Certainly this is true,” he writes, “of those who have come to St. Dunstan’s War Hospital and Training Centre because they have been blinded, or partially blinded, whilst serving in the armed forces or on the Home front in this war.” The report mentions that many of the instructors at St. Dunstan’s were themselves, as was Sir lan himself, blinded in the Great War. They are splendid instructors and set a most valuable example to their young blinded pupils. In learning braille reading and typewriting, many have passed already the severe and accurate tests which are their first qualifications as trained blind men. 'They learn to play, also, many indoor and outdoor games and recreations—cards, dominoes, a debating society, concerts, goal-kicking, tug-of-war, rowing, walks, treasure hunts, tandem cycling, amateui’ dramatics, music and dancing are great fun and an important part of re-education. “The great thing,” he says, “is to learn to do everything you possibly can without your sight and enjoy it.” “There is a spiritual side to recovery also,” Sir lan adds. “Good and evil struggles within you for mastery. When you win this battle, with God’s help, peace of mind takes the place of depression; a zest for life, an ambition, are born again. You are ready to tread the road of life.”

Sir lan points out that more women than last time will inevitably be included in their members because women are taking a more hazardous part in the Defence Services. Among those now admitted to St. Dunstan’s are members of Home and Air Raid Defence organisations, if blinded whilst on duty, for St. Dunstan’s now gives its full benefits to all who are blinded in the war service of the Empire. The report is attractively illustrated by the inclusion of photographs of officers and men at St. Dunstan’s. One of especial interest is that of the Princess Royal who recently visited St. Dunstan’s at Church Stretton .She is shown examining a braille watch, belonging to a young Home Guard. He is only 17 years of age, and is the “baby” of St. Dunstan’s, and was blinded by the bursting of an incendiary bomb when on duty during a blitz.