The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-20
AMERICAN GIRL AIDING
FRENCH BLINDED IN WAR
Winifrcd Holt of New York
Teaching Trades to sight.
less Soldiers.
,, rmv.,r KERRY.


PARIS. Dec. Blind for life,
Thae Is the fate that has overtaken
many Of Frances sons who. not having
been permitted to offer their life on the
altar Of patriotism. have given their next
most cherished possession. their eye
sight.
Trench warfare. the conclusion Of
huge artillery. poisonous gases. flaming
tar. ave all contributed to cause wounds
IN the head. only too often resulting In
total blindness.
The brave fellows who have sacrificed
IN arm or leg arc oftentimes cheerful
over their loss. regarding II merely as a
piece OF temporary misfortune. but those
VINO are deprived Of their sight often
times wish to commit suicide and be-
their fate that they were not
killed In battle.
American initiative again has stepped
to the fore. a group Of Americans who
deeply sympathise with the French cause
nave banded themselves into a commit
tee 20 assist In teaching the blind. Miss
Wtnifred Holt. we'll known in America
Tor her work viii tho blind in The
Lighthouse" In New York city, wa the
originator Of the idea.
Americans Ala Blind,
She vas In London when the war
broke out as American DELICATE to the
International congress Of the blind I'm
that city. Realising what great oppor-
tunities the war offered to aid those who
have been rendered sightless, she came
to Paris and succeeded in gathering
sunicient funds among American friends
IN CnFYV nm a ltVHtNAA .--, "a .--,
with the soldiers.
Any donation for aiding In her work
will reach Miss Holt " mailed care OF
the Hotel de Crillon. Paris. France. and
Will be appreciated. however small.
The darkest moments in a soldiers
life are those when for the first time he
realises that he never will be able to
see again." Miss Holt told me recently.
without prompt expert assistance soon
after the loss OF sight the blind man L.
apt to become respondent. TO lose his in.
~telligence. or TO drift into m apathy
from which II is difficult X not impos-
sible TO rouse him.
The committees first task Is TO find
the blind sufferers. some Of whom arc
marooned In improvised hospitals. farm
houses or ch%ateaux, and many Of whom
are congregated in the large hospitals
or Red Cross stations. The committee
sends visitors and teachers to these blind
soldier. and for those otherwise physi'
cally able It starts the task Of putting
eyes on their finger tips and giving them
light through work"
France Gives Buildtna.
The Ministry Of War has just given Il
special building to be used entirely fol
the instruction Of the blind. Many blind
tourtara hu 90 emma fCyrr ri and Dfferef
their services 10 Miss Holt to serve un'
der her guidance. A class In instruction
IL held every morning in one or th'
large hotels. The men come here e
start their lives over again.
Typewriters and ~stenographic ma
chimes especially constructed for the
blind nave been imported from America
for their instruction. The men are
taught the touch typewritinE system
similar to hat taught In many OF oui
large business sch Nois and colleges.
For ordinary writing and reading TIT
International Braille raised letter sys
tenn is used. The letters resemble thu
Morse telegraphic code in that they are
a series OF dots and dashes, punched
through heavy parchmentlike paper BY
"A stylus. Checkerboards. playing cards
musical Instruments. rattan for baske
weaving, modelling clay and watches
all specially made for the blind. hav'
been brought from America. \ larg'
consignment of games and writing ma
terials which kind friends sent TO Mis-
Holt TO enable her to continue her worl
were lost on the Lusi;ania.
Speaking OF her work with the men
Miss Holt said my friends have bee
very kin In holding up my hands an
the authorities have given us ever,
support. We are working In twenty
seven military hospitals and have
large waiting list OF men n are abb
70 be abou and who wish to come I
our school as soon as Il is opened
nv STAFF of teachers. all OF whom ar
!, necessarily French. nave been most auc
csssful In their efforts.
zone OF cur maxims ia never 10 com
nliserate with a blind man for his 'os'
We are very kind to them. but neve