Connecticut western news., 1920-02-12
CRIPPLED CHILDREN
 APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
Children's Aid Society Asks State for Financial
 Assistance


 Society is asking the people of Con- necticut for $500,000. Knowing the needs and the good work which this Society is doing, we feel that they should have asked for $1,000,000. Their campaign is drawing to close and we are amazed to note that only about one-sixth of the amount re- quested has been subscribed. Why has this most worthy cause been sighted? Why have the people who gave millions to the Red Cross and other deserving institutions failed to help the unfortunate children of their own State? Perhaps it is because there have been so many "drives for money" that they feel it necessary to curtail their donations, or perhaps it is because the needs of crippled chil- dren are not fully appreciated.
 There are in this State over thou sand crippled children, most of whom are in homes where proper medical or orthopedic attention can not be afforded and where education must necessarily be neglected. These children are a great care to their families and often later in life are a burden to the community. By care ful treatment and training, the afflictions of many of these children can be relieved or so improved that their physical handicap will be neg ligible, or if such relief cannot be afforded, they can be educated suffi- cientyl to render them self-support- l ing.
 The proper care of cripples is | therefore a good economic proposi- tion, but stronger motive should in- duce us to support this work Grip pies, as rule, are silent sufferers; they may not always be in pain, but they all sorely feel their helpless and dependent condition. They feel the anomoly of their position; they shun the gaze of the curious, and for these reasons, even those who could occa- sionally mingle in public prefer the seclusion of their homes. Conse- quently, the public is not generally familiar with the life of the cripple.
 The writer knows a crippled boy not far from the State Capitol who sits day in and day out by window | in basement tenement, with noth- ing to do but to play with a few l toys and watch the feet of those passing on the sidewalk above. His mother must work and the little learning he gets is from the teach ings of his sisters when they are home from school. The boy is bright and inclined to be ambitious; but what must be his feeling as he real izes that he can never walk and that his life must practically be spent in the chair by the window.
 | Another observation this winter brought home convincingly the won derful fortitude and character of these unfortunates and the sunshine it is possible for us to bring into their cramped lives. A little girl, crippled in both feet, had been drawn on a sled by her sister to an ice pond in one of our parks. After sitting and watching the boys and girls skating full of life and vigor, she said, "It must be fun to skatep'
 The Newington Home where the Children's Aid Society cares for crippled children accommodates such cases as these, makes them we'll and strong if possible, and, if not, edu- cates and teaches them useful occu- pations. They are made to realize that even though they cannot, walk and run, skate, dance and play ball, they can be useful and happy and the
 darkness of despair, which hangs
 over many of them, can be turned
 into sunshine.
 This institution now cares for ap-
 proximately hundred cripples. There are forty or more on the waitnig list and it is conservatively estimates that if accommodations were provided five hundred children would seek admissionswithin the next year. The present buildings are not only inadequate but insanitary. Hos , pital, gymnasium and manual , training buildings should be added , The State pays $5 per week for each patient committed to this institution
 by the Probate Court, this being the only source of income outside ot T bequests and contributions. As this sum does not even cover the actua
 cost of maintenance, it is necessary :. for the Society to appeal to the pub
 lie for improvements and additions
 We do not believe but that every person who looks into the merits o1 ,. this appeal will gladly contribute
 This fund should be over-subscribed
 The editor of any paper, the loca
 health officer, or any banker will b. = glad to receive and transmit youl
 contribution.
 1. Leave your order with us for an