Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-08-04
PRINCIPAL c. 4. DUMMY
SPEAKS OF REHABILITATION
WORK OF MAINE BUREAU

Principal Clarence A. Quimby of
Cony High school. who Is a special
agent of the Maine Industrial Rehab-
liltation Bureau of which State Supt.
of Schools Augustus O. Thomas is
head. is now getting in personal
touch with all the various agencies
throughout the State under whose
care these cases would come-hospi-
tails, sanitoriums charities and cor
rections. Red Cross and other ~or-
CARNATIONS of this kind.
Industrial Reha bilitation is sort of
an outgrowth OF the soldier rehabili-
tation. The splendid result from that
work was brought to the attention of
industrial workers and the question
arose: If vocational training works
out with the convalescent soldier.
why not with the incapacitated work
man?
In 1918 the idea was tried out in
Massachusetts with great success.
and the federal law was passed in
1919. An act was passed by the last
Maine Legislature, and Superintend-
ent of Schools A. o. Thomas. who
became deeply interested in the
movement. made an extended trip
into other states in order to study
conditions. In Alabama and Missis-
sippi he found the work especially
well advanced and returned full of
enthusiasm. Only recently l.. H
Carris, federal director, sent to this
state from Washington. D. c., John
4 ~ nj IF h.,
Federal Board to assist DIR. Thomas
The Workmens Compensation
State bureau of the Industrial Acct
dent Commission reported, out of
1900 cases last year fifty of perma-
nent disability These are the cases
the Rehabilitation Bureau plan to
get in touch with: encourage during
convalescence. strengthen the morale
and get interested in line of work
in which they can be trained regard
less of physical defects.
Mr. Quimby told of boy in Show
hogan who not long ago lost one
hand all but two fingers of the other.
He is being sent through High school
and is learning to run an adding ma
chine.
Another case which the bureau is
handling is that of child in DeX
ter. who was badly crippled through
an attack of infantile paralysis. The
family was not financially able to
secure proper surgical treatment and
the child was Il helpless cripple. The
Red Cross became interested and
sent the child TO the Portland Chill
drens hospital; his limbs were
Strengthened by DR. Abbott. the
specialist. and his education has been
turned over to the Rehabilitation
Bureau. A tutor has been secured
for the child who is remarkably
bright. and without doubt he will
eventually become self supporting.
''One of the greatest problems"
said Mr.. QuimEy, lis that of the
convalescent who loses his pep
who goes out into the world again
manned. with nothing to take up his
mind: with no one to associate with
but loafers-to become a parasite on
society. That is the one We arc
most anxious to rehabilitate-to re-
instate--to give something to live for
once more.
The federal plan is to match fed
eral money against state money
in rebuilding people who have been
industrially incapacitated.
When it is possible, and a man is
an adept at some trade or profession.
he viii be trained along those lines.
, There are many vocations possible to
a man who has lost his limbs or
even his eyesight. The State Insti-
tuition Tor the Blind in Portland is
vocational. There are" continued
Mr.. Quimby. wonderful possibilities
in our rehabilitation scheme, and We
expect few years will show big re-
suits"
. Mr.. Quimby spoke on this subject
before the students of the Bates
Summer school at their banquet
Tuesday evening at the college.