Blind Woman Overcomes Disabilities

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 15

Blind Woman Overcomes Disabilities

■ Sewing and needlework is an exacting enough art for a normal person, but for one who is blind it is a much harder task.' For one who is both deaf and blind it becomes almost an impossibility. However, Miss Martha Childs, of 932 Colombo street, Christchurch, who is iu her seventy-ninth year, is > both deaf and blind, and when a representative-of the Press visited her roeently she showed clearly that sewing was not by any means impossible for her. Articles of needlework, tatting, and knitting, all handworked, which were mado by Miss Childs, were shown to the reporter. Many of them would have done great credit to a woman expert in handcraft. Quilts, cushions, and handkerchiefs with' beautifully tatted borders were most creditable proof of her, ability as a. needlewoman. All Miss Child’s work is done by feeling, and it is amazing how exactly correct are her finished articles. In her earlier years, when she was handicapped only by deafness, Miss Childs worked many beautiful pieces of tapestry and also did some oil paintings. Sho was born iu Lyttelton, arid has spent practically the whole of her life in Christchurch.