The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1914-09-10
DESPAIR OF BLIND
CHANGED TO HOPE
Officials Seek Means 10 In
still Spirit Of Optimism
VOCATIONS FOR AFFLICTED.

Now York Commission Adopts Jspa'
nese Idea Of Making Mssseurs o'
Thsm-Tsaehins Of Salesranship and
Csnvsssina Also Deemed a Helpful
Way Of Making siahtIess Content.
New York.-How to cure the blind OF
their despair. to endow them with a
spirit OF hope and finally place them on
. self supporting basis is the problem
that has had to be faced by those who
are dedicating their efforts TO alleviat-
ing the condition Of the sightless.
The New York state commission for
the blind, through systematic action.
builded upon an altrulstic policy, has
succeeded IN saving many OF lts wards
from the humiliation Of dependency on
relatives or the public purse. This hns
been accomplished through the teach
Ing OF vocatlons by sightless pro-
hcients to their fellows, although the
curriculum Of education IL necessarily
limited. Few people realize In full
that "bcing blind" IL very special
business which can only be taught by
those who are themselves without vi.
sion.
Whit In known as the japanese idea
has been adopted by the commission.
This In specialization In massage In.
structlon. Many OF the sightless In
japan practice II. within the last few
ycnrs considerable number OF blind
persons In America have been In.
structcd IN massage. Some OF them
are making n fair competence at the
occupation. The commission. with the
view OF cnlarging the scope OF this
class OF labor, hns taken up the matter
OF employing blind persons IN this way
by nll OF the general and special hos.
pitfalls In New York city. One hospital
employs two blind women In massage
with good results. The Buffalo State
hospital has one blind masseuse who
gives excellent service. Many OF the
superinteDicnts OF the city hospitals
have encouraged the commission and
promised 10 give the suggestion cordial
consideration.
Another source Of income for the
siRbtless In an educational course In
salesmanship. The aim In 10 give aid
through canvassing. Several progress
rive slghtless men In the state make d
fair living M magazine or book agents.
aud others by selling articles of domes.
tic necessity. In all cases the goods
are sold strictly on merit. II the buyer
prefers the blind 10 the sighted sales
man he In. In a small way, a philan-
thropist. Hut that In his own business.
OF course.
Where trained blind persons have
been employed as telephone operators,
typewriters or dictaphone operators,
they have given satisfactory service.
The commission believes that many OF
the sightless could pass the examina.
tion OF the state civil service commits.
sion and should have the chance 10
enter the service OF the state depart
ments II n the hope of the commission
that this opportunity may he opened
20 the sighIlcss who are specially
educated In this work. 10 take the test
OF the state civil service.
The abilities OF the blind who are
trained In various branches OF music
have been recognized since the days
OF the Pharaohs. Their senstiveness 10
sound have made thousands OF them
skilled, and while the number OF true
artists who are without sight are
necessarily small. there are many
capable performers who give pleasure
and satisfaction 10 their rendition Of
vocal and instrumental selections
sightless organists are employed In n
number OF churches In the state. A few
engagements for musical events or
social functions would help To place "A
blind man on his feet financially.
The commission Tor the blind sounds
a warning note In behalf OF that phase
Of It's jurisdiction which partially
charges IL with effort To minimize or
prevent accidents that cause blindness.
Bursting water gauges on boilers are
frequent causes of injury 10 the eyes.
During the past month or so three per
sons In the state have had their eye
sight wholly or partially destroyed In
this manner. As there are several types
OF safety water gauges manufactured.
accidents OF this kind are considered
deplorable ana inexcusable.
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