BLIND SOLDIERS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11828, 9 January 1933, Page 3

BLIND SOLDIERS

WONDERFUL WORK AT ST.

DUNSTAN’S

“BABY** IS NOW 3*2 YEARS OLD

WHY SOME INM atv* CANNOT LEAVE INSTITUTION.

Wliafc do tlic St. Dunstaners do when they leave St. Dunstan’s? This is a question which is very fully answered in the 17 th annual report which has just been published.

First of all it should be remembered that there are a number of men who in addition to being blinded, are permanent invalids as a result of their war service. These men do nob leave St. Dunstan’s. Here is one answer to those who say that the work of St. Duusban’s is over.

Those who leave St. Dunstan’s are handicapped only—if one may use “only” in such u context —by Joss of sight. These men were taken by St. Dunsban’s in the first shock of their blindness, and given new hope and a heart to build up their lives again. They were taught to use brains and hands to this end. They were given the inestimable liapoiness of becoming free men, self-supporting in tbeir chosen work, trained by St. Duns tan’s, prepared eventually to Tcenter tbe world, to marry, to bring up their children, to work for them as other husbands and fathers do. to live a man’s full life. Rut in these days of cut prices and mass production a blind man working alone is bound to need some form of subsidy.

HOW EX-INMATES ARE FARING

It is seventeen years since tbe birth of St. Dunstan’s. Let us see now what some of her men arc doing. There is a row of now bride houses in a suburb of Exeter. ’I idy prosperous little houses, each with its small front garden with Ireslily-painted gate, and its long walled garden at the back. A ring at the bell brings a man immediately to the door. “Corue along in.” he says, “it's fine to see you.’ 5 AU St. Dunstaners use the word “see’’ naturally, just as i they speak of “reading’-’ u book. 'lbis is part of the training of St. Dunsban’s, where from the beginning tliev | are taught to express tlieruselfe* ,lb they diti-beforc they lost tbeir sight. They a| not "blind” men. but “blinded” men. It Lakes a St. Dunsianer to realise just the force oi that dilferen.ee. He leads the way -into a little sitting room, furnished with hig cosy armchairs and a wide settee. There is a piano at one side of the room. “'Mv elder daughto l plays.” lie explains proudly. “It is her tenth birthday to-day- 1 saved up the money to buy the piano from extra orders I took at Christmas.” He is a joiner, trained by St. Duustan's. Trade is not too bad. and beshows me various articles be has made himself. A dumb-waiter, a piperack. a wonderful wireless cabinet, a fire-screen, a tray, a gong stand. They are beautifully made. useful possessions in any bouse and as attractive as they are useful. ‘T got the design for this cabinetfrom St. Dunstan’s.” he says, "when my wife and I were at the sales department in London a few months ago, and we saw some new Hays. 1 always like to tackle anything new. eo the instructor taught me how to to make them, and I send them up to St. Dunstan’s to be lacquered.”

COURAGE TURNER TO GOOD ACCOUNT.

St. Duns tan's also help him 10 soil his work, for it is difficult for a blinded man Lo produce and sell his goods. While lie is speaking he is Using a saw to cut a pece of wood. .It is wonderful to watch his hands, working so surely and steadily. Selfcoiilidcncc i» written all over his face, ami happiness.

Tlie "baby" of St. Duiiuait - is a masseur. He is now dd years of age. He joined up in the last year of war. He was a fortnight in action thou he was blinded. He looks young to have been blinded for fourteen years. But lie is prospering and happy. He has a wife and two young children. When he took up massage St. Dutisiau's helped him with his training and settlement and showed him what to do to work up a practice. ITo started in a very small way, hub lour years ago he bought his house, in a good corner position, ami he is now doing very well.

X is a telephonist. Me is in solo control of the switchboard of a busy office; be has had tbis post for more than IS months. The inference is obvious. He must be a very highly trained and capable man. lie lakes a pride in his work, has won the praise of liig employers—is happy.

Men like these —there iU'c so .many of them. Some have poultry farms of their own; some are boot repairers, working in their own shops; some make those baskets, trays, mats and other articles for the home which are beautiful as well as useful

But whatever work they are doing, they arc linked together in the fellowship of St. Dunstan’s. They are alike in the disability of blindness and in tho courage and ingenuity with which they meet it. -St. Dunstan’s has shown them how to turn their courage to good account, and whatever happens to them, if they are sick, or fall upon hard times, the anxiety of the breadwinner is tempered by the knowledge that St. Dunstan’s will never forget them or see them and their wives and children unbofriended.

LOVE TO PLAY AS WELL AS WORK.

St. Dunstanors can play as. well a» work. It would be rather dull for them if they couldn’t, because they are essentially “normal” men and take as much, interest in sport as other people. It may seem curious at. first that a blinded man can find pleasure—-as so many of them do—in attending football matches. But they have the memory of games seen before their blindness, they share the cheering and excitement of the crowd, the friend perhaps -who goes with them explains the progress of the game to them, The'B.B.CYs, broadcasting of

important matches is not the least popular item of tbeir progiamemes. and after all tbe St. Dunstaner at the Stadium is in much the same position as the listener.

Not content even with this attend a,nce at games, a- large number of St. Dunstaner-. ash* take an actitc pa* L in the sports in winch men without sight can engage—rowing, swimming. road-walk<ug, field sports, and etc 7 - ice-skating has its devotees. Rut if, after reading this, anyone rhinks that it is not so bad to be blind, let ldm close his eyes for a few moments and imagine that he can never open them again. Life for a blind man i- not all "beer and skitties.”