ABLE TO SEE AFTER 22 YEARS OF BLINDNESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7813, 4 June 1909, Page 4

ABLE TO SEE AFTER 22 YEARS OF BLINDNESS.

After twenty-two years of total blindness a young woman named Moon, who lives with her parents m the little Derbyshire colliery village of Mapperley, is recovering her sight under extraordinary circumstances. "In 1887 I had a prolonged illness following sunstroke, and was kept m a dark room for three .months," she explained to an Express representative. "The first occasion I went out of doors after it was to witness a. procession formed m commemoration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. "I was only eight, but T the whole scene is indelibly impressed on my mind, because it was the last thing ! I ever witnessed. "Shadows seemed to creep over my eyes, small objects were indiscernible, and later larger ones faded from view, until at last I was plunged into total blackness. "I was sent to the Midland Institution for the Blind at Nottingham, where I was treated most kindly, and, besides being taught to read and write, I received instruction m fancy knitting and cane work. "After I had been there nine years 1 returned home, and but for one more fruitless endeavour to regain my sight I received no medical treatment for twenty years. "Nearly eight months ago my father told me that a companion who had been at the institution with me had partially recovered his sight, and I decided to take the same treatment from a Manchester specialist. "Just the reverse of what happened twenty-two years ago now appears to be happening. At first I perceived the difference between day and night. Now, with my left eye I can distinguish large objects, and I am full of hope that before long I shall be able to see as well as I did twenty-two long years ago. "They have not boon sad years. Everybody has been so kind, and I have- been kept' well supplied with lwoks. Scott is my favourite. I have ii large number of his novels on my bookshelf. "I earn my own living, but just now I can think of nothing else but the joy of returning sight." ■ /