The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-25
GIRL SEWS .
AND WRITES WITH TOES

toes how TO act as fingers and gaining
absolute control over their movements.
I have had also TO devise means OF going
at things, as it is much different when
things are on the floor and ] have 20 bend
over 10 see them, from having them up
before my eyes. This strain somewhat
has affected my sight
1t was suggested that she might make
a great deal of money if she were to go
on the stage but this idea is very dis
tasteful to her. Miss Smith believes that
all girls should know how to do house
work. for she can do almost anything
that is required In a modern home. She
can sweep, dust. mop floors, and black
stoves, If necessary
Miss Smith was discharged from the
hospital in 1892, after having both her
arms amputsted as result of severe
burns She was physically well. but faced
what seemed at that time TO be hope
less future. The Childrens Home So
ciety OF Illinois became interested in the
little crippled girl and a Kate Smith fund
was raised by that society for the pur-
pose of educating her. During the next
four years she was kept at the Home for
Destitute Crippled Children in Chicago.
Here the common school studies were
taught her, and she taught herself TO
write and 10 sew with her feet.
Left to Her own Resources.
The next eight years of her life were
spent at Poinette, Wis. where she at
tended the high school. making her home
with a private family. all of the expenses
having been paid out of the same fund.
After leaving high school Miss Smith was
Of age and, the fund having become ex-
hausted. she was left to her own re-
sources. BY exhibiting her work in store
windows and other public places. and by
selling her drawing. needlework and 9TH
er things, she managed 10 make living.
Ii was at this time that Miss Smith be-
gan TO plan how she could be of service
to other crippled q ildren She tried TO
devise ways Of establishing a home where
deserving little ones cOuld be properly
cared for The National Children's Home
Society finally recognized her efforts and
agreed TO assist her in founding such a
home To iii herself 10 act in an official
capacity for such an institution she at
tended Taylor University, at Upland. Ind.
A comfortable but unpretentious cot
tage was rented at haywood H., and
with only $500 was furnished with such
articles as were absolutely necessary.
Thus far the home has cared for five
little patients. These little folk receive
the best possible medical care, plain but
wholesome food. with plenty of fresh air,
and although they will never be entirely
cured. a great improvement is noticeable
in each case. The home now is being
kept up by a fund from the Children s
Charities and by individual donations,
~
by Miss Smith Little ones from twenty
different States are eligible TO this home,
and new ones are welcomed as fast as the
money can be secured TO provide for
them. Little Washington, who is eight
years old, and disabled in both hands and
feet. has developed quite a talent for
drawing. and also takes great delight in
using a scroll saw with Miss Smith in
her workshop.
The work as financial secretary of this
enterprise keeps Miss Smith very busy,