CHILD CRIPPLES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 4

CHILD CRIPPLES

‘ * IMPORTANCE OF EARLY TREATMENT ACTIVITIES OF SOCIETY REVIEWED “Experience has taught us that the important thing is early registration. Early registration means earl: treatment, and that is most important,” said Mrs Cecil Wood, who presided at the annua] meeting of the Canterbury and Westland branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society. Reviewing the year, Mrs Wood said that the large increase in the membership showed that more people were interesting themselves in the work of the society. An increasing amount of work was being done, in conjunction with existing organisations such as hospital boards and youth centres, and year by year that work became more important. “We could t have completed our work for crippled childten without the help of those employers who have made room on their staffs for our children” said Mrs Wood. Mr L, G. K. Steven explained the accounts of the' society, and said that during the year the funds had increased by about £15,0. Of this increase, £BOO was due to a legacy from the estate of Mr Ifarvey Taylor, who was quite unknown to the society. It was. therefore. ’ a verv pleasant surprise to find that the residue of his estate had been left to the society.. That was the first legacy tl.e society had received, though it was Hnown that a number of other generous persons had made provision in their will 3 for legacies. Grants from the Lord Nuffield trust and from art union proceeds had also been substantial , sources of revenue Good Work Recognised One of the comforting features of the year was the increase of about 300 in the membership of the society. That showed that the good work .being done by members was resulting in the work of the organisation, becoming more widely known. The branch was now. next to Dunedin, the largest in the Dominion. The society's welfare officer, Mrs W Mackay, who gave a short address on the work of the yea;, said that the motive ‘hat should aclu; j the society was to help cripples to live more courageously. It was not a kindness to give help that left the recipient spiritually weaker. Throughout the community now the barriers were' down, and increased sympathy with the unfortunate members of the community was making her work easier. "The adult cripple is more and more finding his wav into offices." said Mrs Macka “When they are in offices, they go somew.bat beyond -our scope as a society. interested in children but there is no reason why_ we should not keep up our interest in them, as m fact we do. tn the last 12 months. I have met most of our children, and 1 have formed the greatest admiration for the courageous way they face life. I have yet <o meet a disgruntled crippled child. “I must say a word mi. the parents. There ,is often a heavy heart behind a bright smile, but most of them, are to-day realising that with the assistance of a specialist, a great deal can be done, If the problem is approached in the right sm r it. the success of a cure is almost assured " Disabilities Overcome’ Mrs Mackay gave a number of instances in which grave disabilities had been overcome successfully, but said that there was need for efmite help in most cases in the matter of vocational- training. Nearly all crippled children could, with proper and careful training, take their full place in society as workers. Businessmen were realising that money spent through the society was a good investment, because it prevented "rippled children from becoming a charge on the community as a whole, or on the • 'mily. The following officers were elected: —President.'Dr .T Leslie Will: vicepresidents. -Mrs Cecil Wood. Messrs J. R. McKenzie, and L. G. K. Steven; •committee. Meadames A. W. Brown. J. H W J. A. E.- G. Lvttle. A .Morten. Sister J N Erwin. Misses E. M. McLean and C. E Robinson. Bishon Brodie. Dr. D, E Hansen.- Messrs A E. Adams, F W Anderson. G. H. Anderson. J. S. Barne+t. W J. Cartwright. E. Edridge. C, J A. G. Henderson H F Herbert. W F. Kent-Jobnston. G. M Keys. H Light, barid. J. Mawson Ste-art, and *; Thompson: honorary auditor Mr F K. Best! honorary solicitor Mr B. L. Ronaldson. ' ______