The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-07-04
BLINDED HEROES
BEING MADE over
Notable Progress Made at Balti-
more Institution.
DESPAIR TURNED TO HOPE

OO~o
They Como to Evergreen Downhearted
Weary Lads and In Short Time Be-
come Cheerful and HopefuLPass
Through Period Of Mental Readjust-
ment and Physical Adaptation Be-
fore They Can Weigh Plans for
Future.
Every now and then ono meets q
young soldier on the streets of Balti-
more stepping along briskly, his arm
interiOcked with that OF a bright
young woman. The overseas stripes
on the soldiers left sleeve attract at
tention, which is intensified by one or
two wound stripes on his right sleeve
His step Is buoyant, and a persistent
smile lights up his face. One looks
again and again to be convinced that
the soldier L. sightlesa
He is one Of the boys from Ever
green, known officially as General Hos
pital No. Z for Blinded Soldiers, and Is
out for exercise with one Of the young
women who r giving their efforts
to bring new sight to the lads who
have sacrificed their eyes for the
worlds safety. There are many such
sightless, but all are cheerful and
hopeful, In marked contrast to the
d~own-hearted, weary lads who came to
Evergreen a month or 80 ago.. These
blind have been recreated at Ever
green, for they have been rendered
self-dependent, efficient and hopeful
Lauded by Sir Arthur Pearson.
This is the result Of the training at
Evergreen. which Sir Arthur Pearson.
the famous English expert, himself
blind, on a recent VISIT here, declared
to u equal to that at his own st.
Dunstan's hospital in England.
Evergreen was donated to the gov
eminent by Mrs. Z. Harrison Garrett,
daughter-in-law Of the late John w.
Garrett.
Mrs. ]. Mayhem Wainwright, who
has made her home In New York for
many years, but whom Maryland con-
siders her own, is the hostess at
Evergreen. Now that the wounded are
being returned to our shores the man,
Der Of her guests increases daily.
During their first days they are Ill
at cas- and uncomfortable In their
surroundings, but a few days make
a wonderful change in their lives.
Their steps become surer and they
gain confidence In themselves that Is
good to see.
The patients are either totally blind
or have such defective vision that
they are precluded from re-entrance
into usual occupations, or even nor
NAL life, without some training. So
completely will their lives be changed
that 1t is necessary for them to pass
through a period of meatai readjust-
ment and physical admiration before
they car thougAtfully weigh plans for
the future.
The difficulties confronting the in
structors can be appreciated only when
1t is understood that the blind have to
be taught even the simplest conven-
tons Of life. such as walking with
freedom. handling their food and dress
ing. There are courses to teach the
men "hOw to be blind" to teach them
that. though blind, they are still nor
mai men.
The school authorities have provid-
ed courses in ~wage-earning occupa.
tfeEs. Among the courses are physical
training. fundamental handtraining,
reading and writing Of Braille, and
typewriting. Physical training includes
personal hygiene. swimming. bowling.
outdoor sports and gymnasium exer-
cises. There are courses in basketry,
weaving, netting. ~chair-caning and car
n ntry. No trade Is considered that
has not economic advantages for both
employer and blind employee. Eff
cheney is the watchword.
Business and Office Training.
1t appears quite probable that com
mercial work will haves to be the most
serious oc%cupational effort. and with
this idea comprehensive courses In
business economics, craftsmanship. Of.
fee management. use Of mechanical
OluGV cquIplIcul anu TIE pTlIcIpleS Oh
accounting and bookkeeping, are being
developed.
Agricultural courses are to be es
tablished for those who have rural
homes. Not only are the men trained,
but positions are found for them.
A r%ecreational leader provides en-
tertainment for the men during their
free time. Dances, music, theatricals
and muslcales are important.