The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-11-19
DESPAIR OF BLIND
CHANGED TO HOPE
Officials Seek Means TO In.
still Spirit Of Optimism
vOCAT|0NS FOR AFFLICTED.

New York Commission Adopts Japa.
nece Idea Of Making Masseurs Of
Them-Teachins Of SaIesmanship and
Canvassins Also Deemed Helpful
Way Of Making Sisht|ess Content.
New York.-How to cure the blind of
their despair, to endow them with a
spirit of hope and finally place them on
a 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 sightless.
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 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 very special
business which can only be taught by
those who are themselves without vi
sion.
What is known as 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 considerable number of blind
persons in America have been in.
structed in massage. Some Of them
are making a fair competence at 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 is an educational course In
craftsmanship. The aim is to give aid
through canvassing. Several progress
sive sightless men in the state make a
fair living as magazine or book agents,
and others by selling articles Of domes-
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 small way, philan-
thropist But that is his own business
of course.
Where trained blind persons have
been employed as telephone operators.
typewrters 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 sighlless who are specially
educated in this work, to take the test
Of the state civil service.
The abilities of the blind who are
IN, .,,p al, ~ vo,1ci0
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
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
accidents of this kind are considered
deporabIe and ineXcuSaDle.