Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-23
Am a zing Skill of
Woman Optimist Who
Refuses to "Stand
Still" Because Physi-
cally Afflicted

rTNHE champion knltter in all Philadelphia
L Is Mrs, Mary J. Alexander. of is7 South
Fifty-sixth street In spite Of the crop Of
experts developed by the present Renais-
sanco period in this gentle art, challenge
is issued to all Philadelphia women, sub
ject to the condition which Mrs. Alexander
herself has to meet
This condition is a drastic one Thumbs
only may be used
Mrs. Alexander, who neither thinks of
herself as an invalid nor creates that i'm
preston in the mind of tho watcher, Is
hopelcssly crippled with arthItis deformans.
This is type OF rheumatism which
| cruelty twists and paralyzes the limbs into
helplessness.
A sufferer for afteen years, Mrs. Alex
ander is now able to move her arms but
slightly from the shoulder, and OF her
hands, tho thumbs only, and of them but
tho first knuclSle. Her elbows are abso-
| lutely stifr; she can neither raise her hands
to her head nor bow hen head to her hands
Her lower limbs are equally helpless Yet
this woman of magnificent pluck and
courage, brushes obstacles away with a
Joyous smile, and acts as though she al
most considered them created for her spe-
for her active mind to divert itself with.
PETER PAN HER sTANcH ALLY
That long period of time has been spent
in a rolling chair a trusty chariot in which
she conducts her business" and travels
ont TO SEQ the busy world. Her bodyguard
and chum iB Peter Pan. most wise and
affectionato little Pomeranian. Curled up
on the front of her chair. he sees his mis-
tress to the movies, shares her meals ana
tt,,Hp af lie HaaT
regard for her.
II is charming to watch Peter Pan, at
slanal sound from his helpless comrade,
rim 10 her chair, climb UP with out
stretched body to reach her face and take
the food morsel extending from between
her lips Fastidiously and most carefully
ne sees that he does not touch her face
being n well.bred dog, he is aware that
no gentleman seeks the lips OF lady with
out her permission. His little act over,
Peter Pan sezes q nearby garment and
scampers from the room. his way or at
tanning an ambition. Desiring to go out OF
doors and being refused attention. he has
determined in this dramatic fashlon TO
compel what he cannot coax.
~ can't 1T my hands TO my face, yet
1 feed myself drink my coffee from the cup
and eat my food from the plate" Mrs.
| Alexander announced triumphantly and
with twinklIng eyes, Il don't get my
mouth dirty either"
Taking pleasure in her visitors mystif-
cation, she continued II can wipe my eyes
nose and mouth, scratch my head and tickle
my ear, too" @.
'why, Mrs Alexander, how can you?
You've Just said you could not raise your
hands to your face"
INGENUITY IN EATING.
Her eyes sparkling, she unfolded with
| those two wonderful thumbs fresh hand
kerchief. picked up a long smooth wooden
stick from her lap and sank Its point into
the folds OF the little piece OF linen Man
ipulating It carefully, she raised II into an
upright position. Its tip thus padded she
| drew It confidently across her eyes. In
| turn, she redeemed her other assertions or
skill with that magic wand, the long wood
| en- stick.
Mrs. Alexander's sister. who modestly re-
| fused to allow her name to appear, has very
| ingenlously contrlvsd In many ways 10
lessen her sisters physical helplessness, She
| has arranged a tray table on a level with
and close to the face: Mrs. Alexander then
by means OF a spoon gripped between her
teeth, brings the food to the edge OF the