CRIPPLED SCOT’S SPIRIT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 77, 11 January 1949, Page 6

CRIPPLED SCOT’S SPIRIT

TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY

LONDON

Yet another example of the remarkable spirit of some persons who suffer physical disability, is that of Mr Frank Macdonald, a Scotsman who has the use of neither, arms nor legs. He has triumphed over his adversity to the extent of taking a keen interest in world affairs and Esperanto, and learning to write by holding the pen in his mouth. Mr Macdonald, who lives in Morningfield Hospital, Aberdeen, has been crippled since he contracted a spinal illness in his childhood. He recently wrote to friends in New Zealand requesting pen friends, and this request was brought to the notice of the president of the Esperanto Association of New Zealand (Mr Bertram Potts). Playing the mouth-organ by means of a special stand, and singing are also among Mr Macdonald’s accomplishments, and, completely free from diffidence because of his disability, be has no qualms about singing in' public —and in Esperanto. After four years of study, he recently sat an examination in Esperanto, under supervision, while in hospital. The time allowed for the examination was two hours, but an extra allocation of time was made to Mr Macdonald because of his handicap. Writing with the pen gripped in his false teeth, he completed the paper in two hours and 25 minutes, and is now awaiting the results. A new set of false teeth made writing a little difficult for him, but he has now mastered these.

At a recent British Esperanto conference he sang “The Aulcl Hoose” and “Drink To Me Only” in Esperanto.