Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
Cripples Are
To Be Cured
InOnaha
Mrs. A. L. Reed is Working
With "Cures for the
Curables" and the
Unfortunates.

CT OWN everything L am priv
legged to use, whether the
title stands in my name or
not" says Edmund Vance Cooke,
speaker and writer. Under that in
depreciation, the public library is his
with its wealth of literature, the
giant engines which puff their way
across the continent, the smooth
highways bordered with stately
trees, art museums, street cars, ON
nibuses and elevators, all are his.
so far a. he cares to use them.
How wonderful II 10 to considsr,
these institutions and industries -
operating for us individually and
personally. In the light Of imagina-
ton. we see the wheels Of factories
turning for the express purpose Of
weaving the silk we shall wear to
Our next bridge tea. We hear the
buzzing Of machinery ~ II whiris
ard spins In ito haste to provide 4
gay flower for the spring bonnet
Our hearts leap when We think Of
the miles and mile, Of shining rails
laid Just to carry US from Nebrsska's
wintry chill to F1orida's warmth and
sea. We are appalled, 4. the dream
of mighty Niagara, rushing, boiling,
seething, in its mad desire to create
the power which shall provide for rs
a de1ectable breakfast dish.
Marvellous thingsl Mighty agei
But greater than these, more potent
than black engines, more faseinat-
ing than shelves and shelves Of
books, more beautiful than pictures
in their gilded frames, or lofty Ar
chitecture and chaste sculpture, 10
man himself, created in the image
Of God. A 1.-THE, straight form, The
firm muscle, the bright eye and
glowing eheeki 1t is an inspiring
sight. But, alas, the form is not
always straight, the eyes not always
bright nor the cheek rudy. There
are those who may be seen 1ean-
ing all awry," the weak, pale, dis
heartened, the crippled in body. And
there are in this number Of unfor-
Inmates many who could be restored
to physical perfection, If proper sur
gical skill and medical attention
were given at the right time. Shall
we create highways aud adorn our
cities? Yes. But shall we, while
doing this. shrug our shoulders and
pass indifferently by when we see
a misshapen bodyl
The Society for the Relief Of the
Disabled has answered. 1t says that
where braces, even though costly,
will straighten a curved spine. when
instruments, however delicate, will
strengthen a useless arm or length
en- a shortened limb, or when cor,
receive gymnastics will restore to
his normal vigor the broken soldier
lad, that all these shall be forth
coming, at least so far a. Omaha Is
concerned. The rubies and dia-
monds of king could buy no more
than restoration to health, and the
opportunity to secure this boon will
be at the disposal Of the poorest
man, woman or child in need Of
orthopedic attention.
All this. If the society, eo-opefat-
ing with the Visiting Nurse assoeia-
ton, the University of Nebraska and
Creighton Medical departments. Is
well as the leading surgical experts
of Omaha, is able to bring its plans
to consummation. A most earnest
member of this organization which
sprang into being last September.
one who with group Of active
women is endeavoring to inaugurate
the work in this city, is the member
ship chairman, Mrs. A. L. Reed.
She knows Of the work to be done
here and means to pursue It to q
successful conclusion. Already one
remarkable cure has been effected
and it is anticipated that hundreds
# cases will be cared for in the
months to come.
Mrs. Reed is one Of the gems that
sparkles in Omaha's crowD Of
charity,-not the charity that makes
beggars, but the service which en-
ables people to retain their indie
pendence, help themselves, and be-
come worthy members Of society.
She has unselfish interest in many
causes, including especially the Child
Saving institute. The duties Of a
membership chairman are arduous
and responsible. There is feeling
of security among those interested
in the Society for the Relief of the
Disabled, that Mrs. Reed is at the
membership helm.
The day of miracles has not
passed. Medical and surgical wiz
7rds perform new ones continually.
Omaha is about to witness triumphs
in this field--and all because there
is society here which has seen 4
vision. Blessed are we that they
have, for where there is no vision,
the people perish"