CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 8

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

ASSISTANCE WANTED WORK IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS A suggestion that an auxiliary committee of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society should be formed in Hamilton to assist in discovering cases in country districts, was placed before the Hamilton Rotary Club today by the honorary solicitor of the Auckland branch, Mr A. L. Spence. He said the anxiliary might help with finance, but stressed the fact that the finding of cripples needing attention would be its most important duty. Mr Spence said it was apparent that there were more cripples in the Auckland district than the 600 which the Auckland executive had listed. It was essential that all cases should be notified, as the success of treatment depended on the age of those suffering from disability. When discovered the cripples were examined by a specialist whose services were at the disposal of the Auckland branch without. expense. It had been found that most of the children responded to treatment to an undreamed of extent. When the greatest possible improvement had been effected the committee then made certain that the home conditions to which the child returned would not undo the results of treatment. Referring to the Wilson Home, where patients were treated in ideal surroundings, Mr Spence said it had been a great struggle to put the home in order, as the society’s income was not as large as most people imagined. Actually the Auckland branch had received £SOO from the Lord Nuffield Trust Fund last year and an amount frormart unions and donations, a total of £I6OO. Though its expenditure might seem high, it had to be remembered that it was providing something for each of 500 cripples. Supplying Radios Apart from the broad basis of its work the executive had to provide appliances, give vocational assistance and in some cases assist cripples in country districts by supplying radios. Members of the society paid a subscription of £1 a year, or £lO for a life membership, the Auckland district having about 32 members. The work among crippled children had been inaugurated by Rotarians added Mr Spence and several were members of the Auckland executive. The aid of all Rotary Clubs was being invoked to assist in finding cripples and in making the work of the society known. So far 125 patients had entered the Wilson Home, and 80 had been discharged as having had, in the opinion of medical specialists, the maximum improvement effected. In addition to the medical side of its work the Auckland branch provided vocational training for cripples. Here valuable help had been given the secretary, Mr G. J. Park, who, as principal of the Seddon Memorial Technical College had been able to make provision for them in the school workshops. Fair success was being experienced in placing the young workers, ! but it was hoped that businesses would do their part to assist in giving the cripple independence. Consideration was also being given to a scheme for setting them up in oneman industries, where their position would not be affected by the competitive element.