Gilpin observer., 1915-06-03
BLIND TEACH BLIND.
Victims of Battle Being Taught
Useful Trades.
St. Dunstan's, Lent by Otto Kahn, Is
Novel English Training School
Blind Instructors Are Do
ing the Work.

London.-Help for the blind by the
blind is the working principle of the
institution opened by the Blinded Sol
diers' and Sailors Care committee at
St Dunstan's, Regent Park. That prin-
ciple in its application has made ST.
Dunstan's one of the most interesting
places in London. 1t has lightened the
sadness which, more actual than the
imprint OF pain, though much more
elusive. fingers in the faces of the
men who are learning here how to be-
gin life once more at the beginning
and to discount misfortune and de-
feat memory by new achievements.
The object of the work is to teach
every blind soldier trade by which
he may expect to earn his living and
to introduce him at the same time to
the Braille system of reading and
writing. Blind instructors have been
engaged in every instance. These men
are among the most capable workers
In the country. and their energy and
enthusiasm are an immediate incen-
tive to effort. The knowledge that
other men have made good" in spite
of their blindness is therefore the first
lesson which the blind soldier re-
ceives. There is generally in his char
acter quality of determination which,
thus aroused. may be counted upon to
achieve success.
st. Dunstan's, which was lent to
the committee by Otto Kahn, is a
very large house. standing in Is acres
of ground. Thanks to this latter cir
cumstance it has been found possi-
BILE to include poultry farming and
market gardening among the subjects
OF instruction. This country life Sec
tion has been taken over by Captain
Pierson-Webber, one of the best
known blind experts in England.
Captain Pierson-Webber's life is it.
self romance of successful endeavor
against heavy odds: he has proved
that blind man may without previ-
GUS knowledge compete with expert
on their own ground; his work in con-
nection with poultry farming is known
throughout the agricultural world.
Small eoinnings.
inside the house, in a large con.
servatory. work tables have been
arranged for the teaching of car.
pentry, boot repairing, mat making
and basket making. The scene of a re-
cent visit to this workshop was an in.
tensely interesting one. At the car
penter's bench a young fellow who lost
his sight on the Aisne was just com
pleting his first picture frame. II
did his instructor and hilhself credit
The bootmakers were very busy
and their work defied faultfinding. so
also, were the matmakers. The only
pupils of the basketmaking instructor
we're two young Belgians who have
been welcomed to the institution and
who are very quickly picking up q
trade.
In another room a massage class
was In progress. Massage is one OF
those very useful occupations 81
which blind people are found to ex
Gel. The large Braille room was full
Of pupils. some Of them being instruct.
ed in the elements of the alphabet;
other at work on the ingenious Braille
typewriters. Everywhere one met the
spirit OF hope and cheerfulness. un.
til the impression of pathos gave
place to an enduring sense of ad
miration. Here surely is a nobler
courage even than the fierce bravery
of war.