TRAINING OF CRIPPLED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

TRAINING OF CRIPPLED

Address By Miss June Opie “What do our crippled children grow up to be?” was the title of an address by Miss June Opie at the annual meeting of the Canterbury and West Coast branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society last evening. Miss Opie said the subject was one she had wanted to discuss for a long time but she had not had the courage. As this was her last engagement in New Zealand before going to the United Kingdom for a visit, she felt it could be discussed. Miss Opie said she was in favour of crippled children going to normal schools as soon as possible. It was better for children to meet cruelty when they were young than when they were grown up. “There is nowhere in New Zealand where a crippled person can learn to cook and sew and iron,” said Miss Opie. “What is needed is a woman or a group of women and a house available with cupboards and furnishings. Handicapped persons could be taught a lot in the way of opening cupboard doors and making beds.” she said. Officers elected were:— Patrons, Messrs J. L. Will and L. G. K. Steven; president, Professor H. E. Field; vice-presidents. Miss C. E. Robinson, Messrs P. A. Hickling and A. H. Marker; treasurer, Mr J. Shanahan; committee. Messrs G. S. Braithwaite, H. B. Duckworth, P. W. Hilson, M. Lyons. A. B. Mackenzie, S. Shapcott. A. J. Tarelton. Mrs Cecil Wood. Misses J Erwin, B. M. Goldsbrough, M. E. Osborn, Dr. P. C. S Unwin.