Douglas Island news., 1913-01-15
The Blind Boy


 liberslly to the fund raised for Chester Kern, the little blind boy who was then resident of our city, will be in- terested in the following letters re- ceived by Mrs. M. G. Rogers; one from Mir. George H. Mullen, principal of the Washington School for the Blind, and the other from Miss Annette Wynne, special nurse employed on the case. Miss Wynne writes:
 "Vancouver, January 8, 1913. "My dear Mrs. Rogers:
 "We did not know who was chairman of the committee that raised the money for Chester Kern, the little blind boy; but I knew that we could reach the ladies through you. No doubt they will want to know just what has been done for the boy here.
 "He has been in attendance at the the school for the last two months. Be- cause he is so absolutely helpless and dependent, and because he needs above all individual instruction that will stimulate him to talk, it has been nec- essary for him to have special in structor. The boy is quite problem, so much so that it is impossible to han dle him with the regular classes of the school. The present plan is to have him under special instruction and ob- servation for three months. This is really an experiment, and after two months of this, it is impossible to say whether or not the boy is mentally normal. In some little ways it is evil dent that the boy has improved-he is more tractable and seems little more able to help himself. He seems to want to talk at times, but he still only repeats. His physical health has im- proved and he has grown to like plenty of exercise. He was very thin and pale when he came. However, he is far from even a blind child's normal
 "Mr. Mullin believes that if anything really worth while is to be done for the boy, it will be slow work. He thinks that even this three months work will be wasted unless some means are found to keep the boy under special teacher for year, anyway. Without special instruction the boy can get almost no benefit at the school, even if the teach CTS could find time from their regular duties to give him.
 "Everybody here is sorry for Mrs. Kern and for Chester, too, and all are willing to help, but his is difficult case, it seems.
 "It was quite accidental for me to be on the scene here. 1 was preparing to go back to New York, but planned to stay in the Northwest for few months more. Then met Mir. Mullin and be. came interested and took up the work with the boy. may not be able to go on with it after these three months, as it may be necessary for me to go East. My family are planning to go abroad and 1 may go with them.
 "I have not forgotten you all-you know how interested was in the work of the League. I have good deal of admiration for the work it has done. Douglas must be quite model com munity by this time. Give my best wishes to the ladies. 1 wish them all good things for the new year that has come. Sincerely,
 ANNETTE WINNIE"
 Mir. Mullin adds the following; "Mrs. M. G. Rogers:
 "Mrs. Kern wanted me to write and tell you how the money was being spent on Chester. The only expense has been Miss Wynne's salary, which is very reasonable at $40 per month. I endorse everything Miss Wynne has said in her letter. Sincerely yours,
 "GEo. H. MULL1N."