The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-08-07
DESPAIR OF BLIND
CHANGED TO HOPE
Officials Seek Means to In
still Spirit Of Optimism.
VOCATIONS FOR AFFLICTED.

nese Idea of Making Masseurs of
Them-Teaching of SaIesmanship and
Canvassing Also Deemed a Helpful
Way of Making Sishtless Content.
New 1Ork.-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 ulleviat-
ing the condition of the sightless
The New York state commission for
the blind, through systematic action.
builded upon an altruistic policy, has
succeeded in saving many of its wards
from the humiliation of dependency oD
relatives or the public purse This has
been accomplished through the teach
ing of vocatiOns by sightless pro-
ficients to their fellows, although the
curriculum Of education is necessarily
limited. Few people realize in full
that 'being blind" is II very special
business which can only be taught by
those who are themselves without vi
sion.
What is known ms the japanese idea
has been adopted by the commission
This is specialization in massage in
struction. Many of the sightless In
Japan practice it. Within the last few
years a considerable number of blind
persons in America have been In
structcd In massage. Some of them
are making a fair competence at the
occupation The commission. with the
view of enlarging the scope of this
class of labor, has taken up the matter
OF eIlIsIns'iIlss blind persons fu this vvuy
by ali Of the general and special hos
pitfalls i'm 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
superintendents of the city hospitals
have encouraged the commission and
consideration.
Another source of income for the
sightless il an educational course i'm
salesmanship. The aim is TO give aid
through canyassing Several progress
sive sigltless men in the state make a
fair living as magazine or book agents.
and others by selling articles Of donIes-
tic necessity. In all cases the goods
are sold strictly on merit. If the buyer
prefers the blind to the sighted sales
man he is. in a small way, philan-
thropist But that is 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-
ton Of the state civil service commits
sion and should have the chance to
enter the service of the state depart
ments. 1t Is the hope of the commission
that this opportunity may be opened
to the sighCless who are specially
educated in this work. to take the test
of the state civil service.
lBS dDllilieS VI lHt bllnu NuO art
! trained I'm 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 a
blind man on his feet financially.
The commission for the blind sounds
| "A warning note In behalf of that phase
of its jurisdiction which partially
| charges it with effort to minimize or
prevent accidents that cause blindness.
| Bursting water gauges on boilers are
| 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
| deplorabe and inexcusable.