The Washington times., 1919-03-22
bLINDFOR24
YEARS, GIRL
SEES AFTER
OPERATION

BALTIMORE, Nd. March 22.-
Totally blind since birth, Miss Grace
Badgley, twenty-four years old, o.
Leon, w. Va, is slowly recovering
her sight at the Presbyterian Eve,
Ear and Throat Charity Hospital,
this city, where she underwent q
delicate operation last week.
The case is one of the most re
markRble witnessed in this city, and
surgeons at the hospital hope that
she soon will be able to see as well as
a person with perfect eyes. And Miss
BadRley is confident that the day is
near when she can enjoy the beau
ties of nature as well as her more
fortunate fellow-beings.
Supremely Happy.
Her happiness is unbounded. Al
though she does not know definitely
the appearance OF a dog, she recog-
nised q large black one yesterday
through hef vague impression, but
was somewhat disappointed because
she could not see it's eyes.
when l go home 1 shall see Shep,
my affectiOnste dog" she said. enthU-
siastieally. He is the only pet have
ever had and he is so dear. ! am anx-
ious to see his eyes.
And / am impatient to see the
wonderful night and the twinkling
stars" she continued. and those glor-
ious sights that others see and enjoy.
The starsl do not know what they
are, but i have read so much about
Fhawa TfF. than and
they will be great friends OF mine.
wants to See the Neon.
"Tve heard OF the moon. too" she
continued. "And when / 60 home I'll
be able to see the flowers and the
green trees. They must be wonder
full, for their fragrance is so gratify-
ing. A small geranlum plant in my
schoolroom is one OF the cherished
things Of my life. 1t grows and
blooms and, though I've never seen II,
I soon will be able TO admire its
flowers and leaves" Then she told
Of the thousand and one things that
she would do when her sight was
fully restored.
Miss Badgley is fond OF reading
books with strong characters. David
Copperield" and other Dickens charac-
ters are her favorites, she explained.
She says she also has read the poems
of Longfellow, Bryant, and Whittier.
Card games, dominoes and such forms
Of amusement do not appeal to her.
They are too frivolous.
Mathematics, especially geometry,
aids her in passing the time. and she
also writes considerably, operating
a typewriter expertly.
Suffrage ChanpIOn.
And she is a firm believer in wo-
mans suffrage, although she does not
approve of the militants She also
takes a keen interest in feminine nm (
cry. but does not approve OF the eE-
treme styles affected by some women.
Miss Badgley has been attending
the State School for the Blind, Romney,
". Va, for several years. and during
her stay ~ the hospital she is pre-
pairing for the State board examina-
1iOn for school teacher, as she plans
TO teach after graduating from Rom
ney. She has already acted as substi-
tute teacher at the school
The present operation is the second
one she has undergone for the restor-
alton of her sight. Seventeen years
go she was operated on at Columbus,
Ohio, but the ordeal proved unsuccess-
full About two weeks ago she heard
of the Presbyterian Hospital, and de-
cided to come to Baltimore and un-
dergo another operation. She made
the entire journey OF more than 100
miles alone. She entered the local
institution about a week ago and
was operated on Immediately.
Three days passed before her eyes
were uncovered. At FIRST she could
only distinguish q slight difference
in the degree or darkness. Each day
thereafter, however, her eyes were
allowed more light, until yesterday,
when she was able TO distinguish col
crs and the dog.
VIII Take Up Teaching.
Miss BadgIey plans to remain at
the hospital until her vision is com
pletely restored. and, while she Is
overjoyed at the prospects OF seeing
like other folks. she realizes that
her sight cannot be made normal in
a few days But the doctors who
have the case in charge are so en-
couraged that IL - likely she will
he able 10 leave the institution soon.
She viii then be in A position TO
carry out her ambitions 10 teach and
will be able TO see the flowers. the
stars and Shep. just as she now longs
- do