Evening journal., 1919-02-15
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY is, 1919.
DISABLED FIGHTERS AND THEIR RE-EDUcAnoN.


THE family Of disabled soldier has very great
Il influence upon his future success or failure ac-
cordlng TO Douglas c. McAiurtre director OF the hed
Cross Institute Crippled and Disabled Men. writing
IN the current Of the american Journal OF Care
for Crppes" The home influence should encourage the
nvalided take advantage Of the training offered
by the government that he may return to civil life
capable Of earning his living. II viii be well for
Delawareans to remember that fact.
The difference between an Injurious and helpful
family attitude Mr. McNiurtrie illustrates by story OF
the rehabilitation work France. It is recalled that
the French mother occupies position Of extraordinary
authority In the family. "A son may grow up to be
twenty thirty or forty years old. but mother is sl a
eaief to whom obedience is unquestlonably paid. In
.-asng with the pou therefore, MUST count in his
maternal parent as well. AT French center Of hos
ptaI care and re-educaton it found that man
would approach the point Of his medical recovery and
approach the time Of entry vocational training his
mother was liable to descend upon the hospital 01ce,
beat her umbrella the table, inquire why they were
keeping her son so long away from home and de-
mand his immediate discharge in order that she might
take him away to for the poor crippled boy for
the rest OF his life' In vain explanations and
arguments regarding the efficiency Of further treatment
training. She had there determined to take
ner away and the scene would continue until her
end was accomplished An in most Instances there
nothing to do but accede to the mothers demand.
But better way found OF dealing with the
families Of deemed likely TO benefit by re-educaton
Under this procedure when the soldier nearing the
end Of his hospital the director Of the institution
would the mother TO in and advise re-
gardins her future She would then be addressed
something in this wise: Your sons medical treatment
win in another week two be practically complete
and thought you might like to know that If you
desired you could make plans TO take him home. But
you know he permanently disabled and viii not be
able to go back to his old job OF telegraph lneman. We
know that you expect for him. but he will out
YOU and later since The government pension is small
indeed he will be reduced TO miserable situation.
lou remember the crpples from the War of 1870. how
they begged or sold trnkeis about the sreessnd you
would not want your TO be In that ax Luckily,
however, he will not have TO be for we have something
else to suggest Across the street is school where the
men are taught various skilled trades If your cares
to stay for five six months, and you approve. will
teach him TO teegrapher and he go back to his
home town and get good job with the government
teiegraphs As a skilled worker still he will be douby
rsseected in the community. he will be burden on no
one his future Will be assured and you viii be very
proud of him. What do you think wise under the cir
cumstances?
"The whole situation is changed. Mother greets her
boy with Son. have you heard what they going
TO do for your And the has already been talked
10 regarding the program the joint decision assured
This illustrates the difference between family for
or family against the proposal of re-education."
Let the dwelers in New Castle. Kent and Sussex
'ounues think these things and apply them to the
cases OF disabled Delaware boys