Blind and Deaf Soldier

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 124, 29 May 1944, Page 3

Blind and Deaf Soldier

WIFE IS EYES AND EARS Blind, deaf “Wendell” Wilkinson, of Sydney, with a jaunty sprig of rosemary in his buttonhole, recently saw speakers and heard their addresses. He was one of seven blinded soldiers of World War 11, who celebrated at their second annual victory dinner. “Wendell’s’ sparKling-cyed young wife, with a bewildcringly rapid play of her lingers on his. imaged upon his mind the scene, recited to him the light or solemn words as fast as the speakers talked. She is the “Lady of the Talking Fingers.” She has been wedded to* deal', blind “Wendell,” a quick-witted, slim and merry fellow, for less tlian a year. She knew the principles of touch language before she was married. She moves like lightning now, because she has learnt contractions from Roy Kippax, instructor at the Sydney Blind Institution. In effect, she knows contact shorthand. llcr mother, Mrs.. Wilkinson said, first unfolded to her tho mysteries of touch talk. Mrs. Wilkinson used to talk that way to a. deaf and dumb yardman ana a deaf and dumb fellow girl student at the Sydney Technical College. She now “reads” to her husband from tho newspapers, at tho pace of a normal reader. She keeps pace in touch with-the speakers on the radio. Her husband is studying practical pottery at the Technical College. Wife Pat (peoplo who know her all call her “Pat”), attends the lectures with him. She takes down the notes. Then they go to the Blind Institution, where Pat dictates in the touch language and “Wendell” types them. They get along famously. Blinded, but a man of piercing “vision.” Captain Gilbert Nobbs, president of tho N.S.W. Blinded Soldiers’ Welfare Committee, said: “Wilkinson is our best typist and quickest with Braille,” The dinner was given by tho N.S.W. Blinded Soldiers’ Welfare Committee. Most of the seven of this war were at the first Victory dinner last year. Of the two missing, one is dead, another lias partially regained his sight. Lyes are windows through which the brain cells get their picture. Close tho windows and the cells become extraordinarily active. They get their picture . . • These blinded men never think of blackness. They see with their minds . . . People who can see are running in a fiat race. The blind are in an obstacle race, but they get there just tho same.