Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-08-20
DESPAIR OF BLIND
CHANGED TO HOPE
Officials Seek Means to In
still Spirit Of Optimism.
VOCATIONS FOR AFFLICTED.

New York Commission Adopts Japs-
nese Idea Of Making Masseurs Of
Them-Teaohing of SaIesmanship and
Canvassing Also Deemed a Helpful
Way of Making SightIess Content.
New YOrk.-IIOw to cure the blind of
their despair, to endOw them with a
spirit of hope and finally place them on
n self supporting basis is the problem
that has had to be faced by those who
are defeating their efforts to alleviat-
ing the condition OF the sightess
The New York state commission for
the blind, through systematic action.
builded upon an altruistic policy, has
succeeded In saving many of It's wards
from the humiliation Of dependency on
relatives or the public purse. This has
been accomplished through the teach
ing Of vacations by sightless pr
ficients to their fellows, although the
curriculum OF education Is necessarily
limited. Few people realize in full
that being blind" Is n very special
business which can only be taught by
those who nre themselves without vi
sion.
What In known Hs the japanese idea
has been adopted by the commission
This Is specialization in massage in
struction. Many OF the sightless In
Japan practice 1t. Within the last few
years n considerable number of blind
persons In America have been in
structed In massage. Some OF them
are making fair competence Mt the
occupation. The commission. with the
view Of charging the scope OF this
class Of labor, has taken up the matter
OF employing blind persons in this way
by all 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
superintendent of the city hospitals
have encouraged the commission and
promised to give the suggestion cordial
consideration.
Another source OF income for the
sightless IL an educational course In
salesmanshlp. The aim Is to give aid
through canvnssing. Several progress
sive slghtless men In the state make Il
fair living ns magazine or book agents,
and others by selling articles OF domes-
tic necessity. In all cases the goods
are sold strictly on merit. II the buyer
prefers the blind to the sighted sales
man he IL, in n small way, n philan-
thropist. But that IL his own business.
of course.
Where trained blind persons have
been employed MS telephone operators.
typewriters or dictaphone operators,
they have given satisfactory service.
The commission believes that many OF
the sightless could pass the examIna-
ton of the state civil service commits
sion and should have the chance to
enter the service OF the state depart
mcnts. 1t is the hope OF the commission
that this opportunity mny be opened
to the sighress who are specially
euuchteu In tnlS Work, 10 luxe lne 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 to
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 to their rendition OF
vocal and instrumental selections.
Sightless organists are employed in
number OF churches In the state A few
engagements for musical events or
social functions would help to place
blind man on his feet financially.
The commission for the blind sounds
warning note in behalf OF that phase
of Its jurisdiction which partially
charges II with effort to minimize or
prevent accidents that cause blindness.
Bursting water gauges on boilers nre
frequent causes OF injury to 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 and inexcusablc.