The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-05-24
CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S CLINIC
TO BE CONDUCTED In KEY WEST

Every time you see a crippled
child remember this: "In 1886
there will be 5000 fewer cripples
because of the work of the Shrine
Hospitals" That is why DIR. F. l..
Fort, orthopedic surgeon of the
State Department of Health is
coming to Key West on May 27
to hold a clinic and examine the
crippled children who have been
located through the efforts of the
local Red Cross Chapter and the
volunteer workers who have as
sisted in the survey. There are IA
children for the clinic and no
doubt a few whom the workers
failed to find. In such case will
the parents kindly call the Red
Cross Office and leave name and
address, providing they would like
DIR. Fort to see the child. This
work will be sponsored by the
Scottish Rite orders.
The Clinic will be held in the
High School building. beginning at
10 o'clock a. m., and continue
throughout the day until every
child has received a thorough ex-
animation. Supt. Russell and the
school nurses are cooperating in
this phase of Red Cross work.
The Clinic will be directly in
charge of the nurses, and all doc
tors of the city are cordially in
vited to attend. A history of
every case will be made, together
with the diagnosis and recon-
mendations as to treatment, and
this data placed with the Crippled
Children's Committee will enable
them to act definitely on any case.
No danger of sending a child to
the hospital and having it returned
with verdict anothing can be
done," as has happened on several
pervious casess thereby causing
Unnecessary expense.
Every one should be interested
and ready to assist with this work
Of conserving the childhood Of
the nation. This Clinic is vitality
important nst only to the fathers
.and mothers ofsthsss children. bat
to every man, woman and child.
And the important thing to be re-
membered is that now is the time
of helping and he1ling. Psychia-
trists agree that all maladies TO
which a man is subject is more
readily corrected in the formative
years. Many of the physically
handicapped men and women of
today might have been given a
broader vision of happiness and
usefulness had they in the early
years of childhood received the
proper medical and surgical care.
When first the anxious mother
discovered the little twisted foot
or the limp in the walk, but for
want of a few dollars the child
was allowed to grow crooked as
the years passed on.
/ Today no crippled child need
be neglected or suffer for want OF
proper care. There are seven
Shrine hospitals and the doors are
! open to the crippled children. Mr.
James j. Davis, Secretary of Labor
has this to say for the children;
Nothing in the world is more
precious than the life and health
of the child. The heart of the
child is greater than the life of a
man. II Is a promise to the fu-
ttne. and the destiny of the future
+ Is in the hands of our children.
Neglect the children. refuse to do
your utmost for their chance in
life and their opportunities fcr
filling useful places in the world,
and you have failed in your most
sacred duty. Tomorrow, the Grip
pie you have helped TO cheer and
strengthen today, may be directing
the affairs Of the nation You can
not count the good you do when
you help a little child"