The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1940. Crippled Children Society

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1940, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1940. Crippled Children Society

AMONG the forms of practical philanthropy taken in this Dominion, there is none calling for higher commendation than that which aims at helping crippled children to be freed as far as possible from disabilities and fitted to take their places as useful citizens in the community. This is the task to which the New' Zealand -Crippled Children’s Society has addressed itself, and it is cheering to hear that the operations of the society have been responsible for improving the lot of many children who would otherwise have been compelled to go through life with deformities or weaknesses which in earlier times were regarded as incurable. . ; ~ The purpose of the society is to see that every crippled child has the earliest possible treatment, by providing ready access to the existing surgical and medical facilities and ensuring the most effective continuous care. In other words, the society endeavours to discover children who, because of congenital trouble, or attack by disease, such as infantile paralysis, have lost, wholly or in part, the use of limbs. If inquiries prove that the case is one in which the society can help, parents are directed as to the steps to be taken to secure medical or surgical assistance. This work is done by auxiliary committees in various districts, for it is obvious that a central branch of the society could not possibly get in touch with children living far afield. The auxiliary committees, themselves, have to rely upon the general public for information, and they, in turn, set in motion the machinery of investigation. • After securing a medical report, and inquiring into the general circumstances of the case, the auxiliary forwards a recommendation to the central branch, which, as in respect of Northland, makes arrangements for hospital treatment by a surgeon and provides supports and other equipment which may be necessary.. The work done is of a highly practical nature, and the society from time to time learns that a crippled child has been restored to normal physical health. An instance of this description occurred in Northland this week, when a mother was able to report to the local auxiliary that her son is now running about like any other healthy little boy, whereas he was severely handicapped before treatment secured by the Crippled Children’s Society.

It is interesting to learn from the annual report of the Auckland branch, with which the Whangarei auxiliary is associated, that the society’s register contains the names of no less than 677 crippled children, and that during the last year relief was granted in 124 cases. The nature of the relief may be summarised thus: —The relief of deformities by providing apparatus to make walking and other movement possible; assistance in education by providing equipment and auxiliary teachers; the bringing of children for examination by specialists in Auckland; the provision of opportunity for vocational training; contributing to permit children to board within reach of technical schools; the provision of typewriters, chairs, sewing machines, etc., and, where no other help was possible, the supplying of comforts and means of diversion.

This, need it be said, constitutes a great humanitarian service, and the society has good reason to seek the co-operation of the general public in providing the funds required for carrying on. The whole of the work in connection with the society is done gratuitously by professional men, who feel amply rewarded by the knowledge that they are helping those who, without such help, would be sadly afflicted through no fault of their own. So far as the Whangarei auxiliary committee is concerned, a notable donation was received during the past year. The late Mr. W. Moorcraft, of Whangarei, made a dying request that a memorial to him should take the form of assisting a crippled child to learn a trade or calling which would be in accordance with its capacity or inclination. He therefore expressed a wish that a donation should be made to a fund to establish what is known as occupational therapy. Mrs. and Miss Moorcraft have accordingly handed to the local auxiliary a sum of £3O for use by the Auckland branch, which is considering the best use to which the money can be put. We mention this example, which might well be copied, as suggestive of one way in wffiich practical help may be given to a most commendable society.