New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-31
WORK FOR THE BLIND
Pow Soldiers and Sailors Are
Taught to Reshape Lives.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: have had read to me recently many
extracts from American newspapers which
tell something Of the generosity Of Mr. Otto
Kahn in placing his spacious mansion, st.
Dunstan's. Regents Park, with its magni-
cent grounds At the disposal of those who
are teaching British and Belgian soldiers and
sailors who have lost their sight at the front.
Your readers will. dare say, be interested
in some further particulars OF the work
which Mr. Kahn's public spirited act IS en-
abing Us 10 do.
We are happily settled here at st. Dun.
STAINS, and our fifty inmates. among whom
are included one naval and two military Of
ficers are busy at work and a. play. Special
and I think / may say. ingenious, arrange
ments have been made which enable them %
find their way about. both indoors and out,
with astonishing facility. Throughout the
house are paths of mating, throughout the
grounds paths Of sheet lead and warning sig
mails, consisting of boards. are laid flush with
the ground before steps. walls. trees ana
other obstacles. Each man spends TWO hours
a day at Braille reading and writing and
in learning 70 manipulate the ordinary type
writer.
I cannot speak too highly Of the devoted
work of the little army of voluntary teach
crs who come here each day to give instrue
ton in these necessary accomplishments.
Two hours more are spent in the learning
Of some useful and profitable occupation
Many men devote considerably more time
each day 70 the acquisition of useful KNOW
edge. A very large conservatory has been
turned into q workshop, and here the classes
in carpentry. boot repairing, basketmakins
and matmaking work busily under the IN
struction of skilled blind teachers. The quite
curiously rapid progress which the men are
making may be directly attributed 70 the IN
nuence Of the blind teachers. The newly
blinded man knows that he is being. told 10
do things he can do, and. further that he Is
being told the right way in which 10 90 them
The country life section, which is under
The supervision Of Captain Weber, the well
known blind expert, is most interesting
feature. instruction is given in all branches
of poultry farming, in bee keeping and IN
market gardening and there are many SIM
pie and clever plans TO enable the blind men
TO pursue these avocations with accuracy
and ease. Several fellows are learning mas
sage the one occupation at which blind peo'
pie can compete on even terms with people
who can see; indeed the skilled blind man
is very apt TO take the lead in this occupa'
ton.
We have just started rowing on the ke'
gents Park lake, branch OF which runs
into our grounds. Rowing is an ideal eXef.
else for blind people. for. besides the ac'uai
physical work involved, IT gives them Tue
rare sense Of helping instead Of being helped,
The Blinded Soldiers and Sailors Hostei
is maintained Jointly by the British keO
Cross. the Order Of 81. John OF Jerusaie"
and the National Institute for the Bind ann
a grant from the Prince OF Nales's fon@ =
defraying the cost OF training the men shu
starting them in life.
We invite contributions to a special fihu
which is spent on costly apparatus, suen a.
typewriters. and in paying the travelling anu
living expenses OF near relatives, who are
brought from distant parts of the country !"
stay near a blinded husband. brother or son
The National Institute for the Blind mas
placed at our disposal a home az Brighton
where the men can go for rest and enahs.
May | end this brief account by referf'"H
to the spirit Of CHEEKY optimism which IS .ne
keynote to the life at 81. Dunstans! Inv
men are thoroughly bright, interested snu
happy. A recent writer referred to 'n's
place as the palace of hope. This name "uI,
describe it. and | trust that it will turn ou'
to be palace Of brave endeayor and pans"'
achievement, carried to a point which ae"..
the infection of a blow a. hard as any
which mortals can he asked 20 submit
c. ARTHUR PEARSON,
Chairman, Blinded Soldiers and Ssi'o''
Care Committee.