The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-30

Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Chill
But gold medals we'll might
appreciation of their indomitable
Life hasn't been very kind to
them But they would De the last
persons to admit that. Instead
they would point with pride to the
II awards given them at the 1885
Indiana State Fair. in which they
competed with adults from all
over the state-healthy and strong
adults, whose fingers never have
felt the ache of physical handi-
cap.
All year they worked on those
prize entries-not as prize en-
tries, but as part of a good days
work, between lessons, treatments
and hospital routine.
Il was making mine for mother
everything I make is for her"
14-year-old Kathleen says, as she
proudly inspects the enameled box
which was among the first prize
winners. "Of course, hoped that
it might be good enough to enter
at the fair, but I wasn't sure.
And when 1 heard that it had
won prize-well, 1 could hardly
believe that. I thought they were
only fooling when they told me-"
II ATHLEEN painted that box
Al on alternate days. One day
she must lie on her stomach, and
the second day on her back. 1t
is in the latter position that she
does painting and weaving. The
time when she lies on her stom-
ach, she only can sew. Then she
puts tiny and bright colored
stitches into pillow-tops and en-
broiders scarfs.
Il think I will miss all this work
when get we'll enough to go back
home and TO school," she says.
But that missing work" will not
come soon for Kathleen. After
seven months in the hospital, she
has many more hours and days
before she will be recovered
enough to take up normal life
again.
Alice, who is an out-patient at
the hospital, has been more for
tunate. Although she returns to
the hospital each Saturday morn
ing for treatment, she has been
able to re-enter high school.
Despite many school days which
she has had to miss because of
illness, she doesn't knoW-eXcept
from hearSay-that there can be
a mark lower than an "a" on a
report card.
Allce's contribution to the state
fa1r entries was a table runner,
Which she wove on a foot loom.
There was double purpose in
giving that work to Alice. Not the
least important was because it
would exercise a lame hip, and
help her to walk more easily.
TINE perfect blocking of that
Il woven pattern is a symbol
OF Alice's plan of life. Already.
though physically handicapped,
she has living schedule worked
out.
She hopes to finish high school.
and then go to college to train
herself to become a laboratory
technician.
The same ambition fascinates
Sam, whose reed basket is among
the prize-Winning displays. Sam
wrote his parents in Fl. Wayne.
just as soon as 1 heard that 1
won a blue ribbon" They haven't
seen the basket yet, but Sam
hopes to take it back with him.
When he returns to his home from
the hospital.
Normally right handed. Ralph
mas had to teach himself to use
MS lett hand to do the intricate
leather work in the occupational
therapy shop. Paralysis has made
the right hand almost useless.
pUT the red leather purse
~ which Ralph made, and
which was among the first prize
winners, proves the skill with
which he works. Now he is hurry
ing to finish two leather bill folds
for when he does-he is to be
put on new work, and will make
Knotted string belt.
Today is their day of triumph.
The prize money which those
normal persons won in the state
Fair probably has been spent
many days ago. The money which
was given as awards for the Rilev
hospital entries is being used to-
day for the annual Halloween
party.
And as the COLLINS prance
through the narrow aisles be-
tween hospital beds and crippled
chlldren's carts, there will be a
CLEAN of satisfaction in the ewes
OF these children.
Yes. they have won blue rib
nons. But more than that, they
nave proved that they are to be
men and women of courage in the
future. Life never will conquer
these young folk. They really are
DriZp winners