After Swimming Exercises Boy Walks For First Time

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 12

After Swimming Exercises Boy Walks For First Time

“The Press' Special Semce

''KYAAAXGTOX, May 3.1 Nine-year-old Neville Kahu. “mascot” of Ward 5, New Plymouth Hospital, is now walking for the first time. After an operation on his legs i a few months ago, Neville has paid daily visits to the New: Plymouth municipal baths. A final X-ray was taken, the results were : ‘satisfactory, and Neville is to re-| turn home to Pungarehu. | Stricken with a leg affliction ; when a baby, Neville has spent . nearly all his life in s hospital ‘bed. In the final swim under the ; guidance of the bath’s superintend- < ent, Mr EL H. Meuli. Neville gave; a performance of his life, flipping L j on his back, diving and swimming: with near perfect strokes. Neville could become a good, swimmer, Mr Meuli said. When [Neville came to him about threeb months ago, he could not swim a stroke. Now he is a proficient |:

j swimmer and also has a 50 yards' * ; certificate. L‘ Neville and other patients from the hospital requiring exercises to . strengthen weakened muscles be- 1 come very fond charges of Mr and Mrs Meuli, who take a great | interest in their progress. Neville ] needed exercises that would i J strengthen his leg muscles. - ] At first, a halter was used to ? support him in the water, then a small pair of rubber flippers was ( placed on his feet and these, apart ? from aiding leg movements, also = acted as supports when he was out j of the halter. , His ambition is to go crayfishing ] 'along the coast with Mr Meuli. ] ■ “He has asked me nearly everyj i day for weeks now,” said Mr?, j ; Meuli. “I promised him that t when he is a bit Digger (Neville i ‘ only comes up to Mi Meuli’s hip) 1 I will take him diving for cray- t | fish.” ]