AID FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 122, 26 May 1938, Page 2

AID FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN

THE WANGANUI SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED REVIEW OF PAST YEAR. Reviewing the past year’s activities, the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society, announces an intention to undertake a comprehensive membership campaign.

“The actual cash balance held by the branch is less than £300,” states the Society’s annual report issued in the name of the chairman (Mr. B. R. Dobbs). “When it is taken into consideration that approximately £432 has been spent during the past year, and that the grant from the New Zealand Society from the Nuffield trust will be only about £3O, it is obvious that an effort will have to be made to supplement the income. An appeal Is made to every person in the Wanganui district to become a member of the branch and so help to carry on the work now being undertaken. The subscription is only 5s per annum, or £5 5s for life membership. It would be as well, the report says, to again impress the point that the amount given by Lord Nuffield is invested and only the interest from the amount is available for distribution to the difference branches of the society. It will thus be seen why the branch can only expect approximately £3O from this source. Appointment of Welfare Officer. “Early in the year it was felt by the executive that little progress could be made without the assistance of a full time officer. With this end in view, Palmerston North branch and the Wanganui branch decided to co-oper-ate and appoint a welfare officer who would give all her time to the investigation of cases already on the register, discover and investigate new cases, and generally attend to the welfare of the crippled child both medically and vocationally. Miss Enid Aitken, Wanganui, was appointed to fill the position, and began her duties on September 24. Since that date the registration of the crippled child has increased to more than double, the branch now having 106 on the register. This entails much work and has incorporated the medical clinic with the Wanganui Hospital. The clinic Is held bi-monthly at the Wanganui Hospital. at which Dr. Alexander Gillies, orthopaedic specialist, attends to examine all cases without charge. At the first clinic there were 34 cases and at the second clinic there were 43 cases reviewed. Of these, practically all were either under treatment or have readjustments made to surgical boots or appliances. “Up to the end of the financial year two clinics were held. Children were brought in for review. Of this number 43 treatments are being continued. Some have been transferred to Wellington Hospital for surgical treatment under Dr. Gillies, and a number will be operated on in Wanganui. “Added to the medical attention, the vocational side has not been neglected. This involves co-operation with the teaching facilities existing under the Government schemes wherever possible, or private tuition has been arranged. For some cases actual placement in employment has followed the welfare officer's investigations, but the average is not yet beyond school limit. “The following figures indicate the vocation index according to school grades including Maori cases: Preschool age, 13; infant department, 15; primary school, 39; secondary school, 11; in occupation, 7; receiving pensions, 3; special cases, 18. Following gives the medical analysis of the cases: Talipes 10, infantile paralysis, 39, T.B. bones 10, osteomyelitis 7, spinal deformities 2, oss. imperfecta 2, knock-knees, etc., 2, congenital hips 8, accidents 7 spastic paralysis 3. infantile herniplegia 5, paraplegia 2, torticollis 1, rheumatics 2, specials 6. Hospital Board Appreciated.

“The branch is fortunate in having the whole-hearted co-operation of the members of the Wanganui Hospital Board, the medical superintendent the doctors of Wanganui and surrounding districts and the staff, who both personally and officially have taken the keenest interest in the work of the society. To all these the thanks of the branch are given. It will be seen that the appointment of a welfare officer was a necessary one, azs she not only has the welfare of over 100 children in this district, but nearly 90 scattered throughout the Manawatu Hospital district. To facilitate the work it was necessary to supply the welfare officer with a car. The cost of the car was shared equally with the Manawatu branch.

“The Wanganui Hospital Board, In order to assist the treatment of infantile cases, built a swimming pool in connection with the massage department. The society, recognising the value of this treatment, made a grant of £lOO towards the cost. The society is grateful to the tramway department of the Wanganui City Council for granting the children attending massage daily a free pass to and from the hospital. “Just before Christmas the members of the Rotary Club gave financial assistance towards a Christmas party for the children receiving treatment in hospital. This took the form of a picnic, and the necessary transport was supplied by the members. Opportunity was taken to present each child with a Christmas gift. The children in outlying districts had gifts posted to them. The action of the members of the Rotary Club was much appreciated by the society and children. Appreciation is also expressed to Mr. E. Poynter, who generously gave to the branch the books for the children, and to Miss Allen, of the Crown Depot, for a gift of cups and saucers.

“The annual conference was held In Wellington during August and the delegates were Messrs. B. R. Dobbs and F. H. Bethwaite. The society desires to thank the committee of the Wrestling Association for gifts of £5 ss, the managers of the picture theatres and the Press for their willingness to give publicity.”