DESPITE HIS LOST SIGHT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 September 1934, Page 6

DESPITE HIS LOST SIGHT

When he was six years old Christopher Hendrick, a. Yorkshire boy, fell down a flight of stairs at his home, and, as a result of his injuries, he became blind. Now, at the age of 18, he has become a King’s Scout—the first King’s Scout. Despite his blindness, Christopher can do many things which thousands of firstclass Scouts strive to do without success. Here are a. few of them: Transmit and receive messages in Morse code and send in semaphore. Estimate the distance, height, and weight of objects within 25 per cent, of accuracy. Deal efficiently with such emergencies as cases of fire, drowning, fainting, ice-breaking, and electric shock. Read an ordnance map (in Braille), use a compass, and point out any direction at night-time without its use. Make any sort of basket and articles of wood. Help air pilots when necessary by indicating the proper direction for landing. He knows by heart the compass direction of all principal towns and aerodromes within 50 miles of his town. Render first-aid to an injured person, and do other' expert ambulance work. In addition Christopher can recite, sing, act, and play the organ and piano. Has an elementary knowledge of law. Is a qualified “public health man,” able, to advise in any health or sanitation problem in connection with farms or camps. Swims expertly—any stroke. Can cover a mile in twelve minutes. Is able to make a fire in the open, never using more than two matches and can cook meals for a patrol.