CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 9

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS ASSISTANCE OF ROTARIANS. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 31. The need for caring for the mental requirements of crippled children was referred to by Mr T. C. List, governor of Rotary in New Zealand, addressing members of the Christchurch Rotary Club to-day. 'Mr List told members that' a scheme was under consideration for helping crippled children, and he appealed for the assistance of Rotarians. “I would like to see Rotary taking a greater interest in the care of the crippled children of New Zealand, for I do not think the people realise how many cripples there are,” said Mr List. “ A committee surveying the position had found that there are over 5000 crippled children in the Dominion, and that number is increasing by 500 a year. The children are being cared for fairly well on the physical side in hospitals, but on the mental side little or nothing is being done. That element in our population would respond to the interest in their welfare. It is marvellous what is being done in other places. In Boston there was a wonderful demonstration of what is being done in America. We want to train the children’s brains so that they can become useful citizens. In America, where crippled children have been employed, they have been wonderfully successful, showing that the children can respond if given proper attention. The results in America, where Rotarians have taken an interest in the children, have been entirely successful. When the scheme under consideration is submitted to Rotary clubs in the Dominion I hope it will have the same interest manifested as in America.”