BLINDED RETURNED MEN TAUGHT TRADES AT ST. DUNSTAN’S

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22954, 24 May 1949, Page 4

BLINDED RETURNED MEN TAUGHT TRADES AT ST. DUNSTAN’S

Blind for the past 40 years and a teacher of the blind for the past 20 years, Mr. J. McGuire, L 1.8., 8.A., M.8.E., head of the Blind Institute, Auckland, gave members of the Gisborne Rotary Club, at I'.ieir weekly luncheon yesterday, a particularly interesting talk on the work St. Dunstan’s is doing for blind ex-sei'vicemen. Five years ago he had been seconded to the Rehabilitation Department to help train blinded ex-servicemen, said Mr. McGuire. After some initial difflties adequate buildings and grounds were acquired within six miles of Auckland and today 50 servicemen were being trained. » “Seventy-five per cent of these men have disabilities other than blindness,” continued the speaker. "Many would be graded for pension purposes as totally disabled for reasons other than blindness." St. Dunstan’s operated on a Government grant and did not have to appeal to the public for funds. Any donations were accepted, however. These donations enabled St. Dunstan’s to do many small things for the welfare of the men. Trade-Training Given The purpose of the institute as explained by Mr. McGuire is to look after the welfare, contentment and wellbeing of blinded ex-servicemen and to

re-establish them by training them to some trade to occupy their spare time. ' “The psychological damage caused by a man going blind must first bo restored and the men taught to have confidence in themselves, he explained. “The greatest means of establishing this is' by occupational therapy.”

Few of the men were taught to read and write in Braille, continued Mr. McGuire. They were all taught to typewrite, however, while if they wished to read for pleasure there was always the talking book —a gramophone record of a book read by a leading elocutionist. Social Activities Encouraged The re-establishment of the mens social activities was also one of the objects of St. Dunstan’s and the inmates were encouraged to attend various gatherings. “The primary purpose is to provide the men with an occupation to nil in the time and not to equip them for earning their own living “However, 15 men have gone back into competitive industry and are engaged full-time at various trades which they are doing with the quickness and skill of the ordinary operator,” stated Mr. McGuire.

Those men who were fully trained but unable, because of other disabilities to re-enter industry, were provided with the means of pursuing their occupational therapy when they left St. Dunstan’s. The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. F. It. Ball, chairman for the day.