The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-11-22
Cripples to Be New
Problem After War

Kansas City, Mo-, Nov. 18-Among
!, the problems growing out OF the war
that must be faced by America is that
of caring for a large number OF Grip
pied men, as inevitable result of the
great conflict as the loss of life that
must be expected when the nations
millions get on the firing line and F.
r. Bigler, of this city, points out that
one of the first moves to meet this
problem has been started among men
already crippled, some Of the 100000
manned each year in Americas indus
tries. Mr.. Bigler recently returned
from New York where he conferred
with Edfard T. Devine, director Of
the Red Cross Institute for Crippled
Soldiers and Sailors. Thirty years ago
Mr.. Bigler lost his left foot and his
right arm just above the elbow and
having won his way up despite his
handicaps he has for several years
been aiding other cripples.
He proposes the establishment of a
sort of national clearing house for
ideas for cripples, where a mans par
ticular ability can be studied and he
may be fitted into the place in indus
try or business he is best qualified to
fill.
MI. Devine plans to accept Mr.. Big
ler's service in the work Of the Red
Cross institute in New York which
recently was given $4,000 and build
ing i'll that city by .Jermiah Millbank.
Because of his activities OH behalf
of brother uEfortunates, Mr., Bigler is
i'll touch with hundreds of cripples
throughout the country who have sue
ceeding despite their msfortunes and
these he has listed and classified. The
Red Cross institute is preparing pam
rhlets from the personal histories OF
these men and it is planned that as
future cripples come from hospitals
they are who have made good" with
an account of how they did it. A
man with his right arm off will not
read Of men lacking left arms or legs
or sight, but of men who have lost
right arms and yet carried on"
"The first two months after coming
from the hospital is the crucial time
for the cripple" Mr.. Bigler says. ut
is then that he realizes the full burden
of his affliction and it requires the
greatest will power and determination
rot to give way to despair. Then, if
he has money, he is apt to become a
victim of drink, or, if he has not, go
on the streets with hat in hand as a
beggar. |
cit is at this time that he needs
most aid and nothing will so brace
him is to learn the experiences Of 9TH
ers who were successful despite every
thing"
With simple contrivances Mr.. Big
Ter has learned to do with one hand
and one foot most of the things posi- +;
bic to a man with two hands and two !!
feet. He can shoot shotgun, fish, I
row or sail boat, and operate a !.
writing eighty words a !:
minute with one hand and operating !
the shift key with a bar in reach of !;
the stump Of his amputated arm
Such common acts as lacing the shoes !!
shaving and hand washing have been /
made simple for this one armed man
through his ingenuity. He does all the !
repair work about his home, firing
it, laying grantoid walks, and hand |
ling a hammer and other tools. All
This has been attained by an iron will
and perseverance, an example being !
when he spent an hour and three |
quarters attaching an electric light "
socket to the ceiling of his home al
,hough with the assistance Of his wife !
who was within call, it could have |
been done in Two minutes.