ADDRESS BY MRS CECIL WOOD

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25902, 7 September 1949, Page 2

ADDRESS BY MRS CECIL WOOD

CRIPPLED CHILDREN SOCIETY’S WORK

An outline of the work of the Crippled Children Society in Canterbury and Westland Avas given by Mrs Cecil Wood at a meeting of the Associates’ Group of the National Council of Women last evening. “We want the same opportunity for the cripple as for the normally developed child. We want him to be an equally valuable member of the community,” Mrs Wood said. Everything possible was done by the society to get crippled children to school. Mrs Wood continued. In some cases transport was provided, sometimes tricycles were supplied by the society. In some cases education was carried on as far as the university, and lecture fees were paid by the society. Mrs Wood said that 116 cripples in the Canterbury and Westland district were now in employment. There were 44 unemployable persons of more than 16 years of age who were in recenit of pensions. “That is not so good.’ Mrs Wood continued. “Some parents would rather see their children sitting down and receiving a pension, than struggling to earn a living against such tremendous difficulties. That is not in the best interests of the child. He should be trained to take a place, even if it is a humble place, among the workers of the world.” The ideal home situation was one in which the crippled child was treated in the same way as other members of the family. There should be no special attention, as this tended to create self-pity. Mrs Wood said. The society emphasised the importance of the prevention of crippling, Mrs Wood continued. It realised the importance of educating mothers to have such potential dangers as electric equipment protected. Early discovery was an important factor in the successful treatment of crippled children, said Mrs Wood. During the past year 38 cases of babies having been born with dislocated hips had been reported. Treatment was now given to such children as early as 15 months of age. After a period in plaster the children were perfectly all right. Mrs Wood also spoke of the work being done at the school which was opened recently in Christchurch for children suffering 'rom cerebral palsy.