CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 169, 22 July 1935, Page 8

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

WANGANUI BRANCH OF SOCIETY. At its meeting the exec,uiivo nf th? local branch of the New’ Zealand Crippled Children’s Society received from the secretary who acted as dele gate at the recent conference of branches held in Wellington on July 10 a report dealing with the proposed operations of the society. Mr. R. G. Taiboys was in the chair. The aim and policy of the so ieiy. approved at the conference are: “That l ho general aim and policy of lhe so cicty bo directed towards ascertaining the needs of crippled children in New Zealand, and in devising wavs ami means of ameliorating their position in the treatment of the disability (medi cal. curative or otherwise); in ednea tional and vocational t nining; m find ing suitable avenues of employment; in ren oving any existing bars to cm ployment of cripples; and generally in showing a friendly care aod personal in terest in every way possible in th? con dition and circumstances of all crippled children and their future.’’ Definition of a crippled child: The adonted definition of a crippled child is: "A crippled child is a person under twenty one ytars of age, who not be ing mentally defective, has a defect which causes or tends to deformity or interference with uoimal functions of the bones, muscles, or joints; the defer live condition may be congenital or r< quired, but does not include defect of the vital organs.’’ After the report was received the chairman explained that the time was now opportune to commence operation® in the d.strict. The meeting decided that the preliminary move should be the compilation of the names and nd dresses of all crippled children within (ho Wanganui Hospital Board district (including Batea). The secretary was ns.lructed to seek the assistance of th? Hospital Board, Education 6oard, the British Medical Association, and th? masseurs and welfare officers of the city, with a \ iew to obtaining as far as possible a complete register of c ripples. Various means of raising finance wore considered and the membership committee was instructed to bring forward report 05 the matter.