WHERE WAR WRECKS ARE RESTORED

Evening Star, Issue 20312, 22 October 1929, Page 11

WHERE WAR WRECKS ARE RESTORED

MIRACLES OF STAR AMO GARTER HOME I have been to the House of Miracles, where, all these years after the war, they are still making men over again, (writes the Richmond correspondent or the ‘ Evening Standard ’). A century ago gay men and beautiful women drove to and fro from the Star and Garter on Richmond Hill rattling horse-drawn coaches. Tm> men L saw to-day in the building on the same site, the Star and Garter Homo for Disabled Men, came by ambulance and in sadness. They wore wrecks from the battlefield. But those who have leifc. the home have gone with thankfulness for miracles they never dreamed would happen. They can walk and earn their own living. Those who remain are happy in the hope of the day when their turn comes. Wonders of healing are being performed in this Palace of Renovation overlooking the Thames Valley at surely the loveliest spot within miles of London.' Colonel Gowland, the commandant, and his staff, are achieving by patience the almost impossible. TRIUMPH. I stopped at the door of a. room in which were three men. One was learning over again how to climb stairs. He was triumphant. He had managed the first step of a portable staircase. r JI he second was clinging to the walking machine. His legs were weaker than a baby’s, but heHiad walked a whole yard. The third was the happiest of them all. His news was so wonder!ul time he had to shout it; “I can stand. I have stood on my feet for three minutes.” “That is splendid,” said the -commandant. “ You will bo playing football soon.” The sister’s face beamed with gladness. It was mainly her work that had accomplished this wonder. The commandant took me aside. ‘‘ It does not sound much,” he said, “ but that man lias been unable to move his legs for four years. He came here a wreck. We are trying to make a man of him again. Don’t be surprised if ho is overjoyed.” It is Hire that all over the home.Cases that seemed hopeless are now a pathetic Joy. There were two who appeared incurable. An ex-staff sergeant in the R.A.M.C.. in bed for two years following severe injuries to his spine, is now able to walk. Within a few months he will probably become a useful citizen again. A lance-corporal in the Highland Light Infantry was almost completely paralysed. Now he can walk a mile. TRICYCLES. I talked with two men in a workshop. They were working on the engine of a tricycle. Sitting in their wheeled chairs, these men made that engine and fitted it to the tricycle. They go to the race meetings, to Lord’s or the Oval, and, as for a run up and down Richmond Hill, that is a mere nothing. “ Why, we went to Bognor one day.” one said.’ “ Risk? That's nothing, it is better to take a bit of a risk than stay indoors.” On one trip a machine caught fire. The man threw himself on his side and crawled away. With indomitable spirit, after he was picked up and taken back to tlie home, he was soon off again in another machine. Tiie most independent soul of them all is the fellow who has lost both legs and an arm He will never let anyone do anything for him if ho can help it. He dresses himself, hauls himself into bis chair, and trundles about Richmond calling on his friends For cases like this Colonel Gowland designed a special chair. It is fitted with two handrails on the side instead' of one. The occupant can turn right or left by moving one rail or the other. The chair is propelled by pressing both' rails together.