Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1937-02-04
DANCE THAT OTHERS
MAY WALK

with accounts of disaster, catastro-
phe involving millions of people,
and hundreds Of thousands have
found themselves homeless, without
foot, clothing, or proper shelter.
These men and women, through no
fault of their own have been snatch
ed from their firesides and thrust
out into the bitter winter weather,
where in spite of the heroic efforts
made for their relief they have suf-
fered untold hardships. That every
thing possible is being done for these
unfortunates is beyond question. Ev-
cry relief agency in the country is
strained to it's utmost capacity to
carry food, clothing. and necessary
medicines into the stricken areas.
What then of personal disaster?
What Of the "pestilence which stalk
leth by night" and strikes down it's
victims in isolated spots, quietly but
completely putting an end to their
active participation in the life of the
community. Who of us has not had
a friend or relative who within the
space Of a few days has been strick-
en- by this dread disease which fet-
ters it's victims in chains as unbreak-
able as they are intangible. To be
condemned to a life of dependence,
to carry dragging limb about from
day to day, handicapped and frus-
trated-all for the want of intelli-
gent care and supervision in time Of
disaster-such is the fate of all but
the exceptional few Of those who
contract this plague of modern
times, infantile paralysis, or polio
myelitis, properly speaking.
Here the problem of reclamation
is much more difficult and requires
a great deal more specialized effort
than that presented by the unfOr-
tunate sufferers Of the flood disaster
for these folk sad as is their plight
in many cases, have legs to run and
walk with, and hands to work with,
and, with the indomitable spirit of
our people, will win back their home
and fireside.
With the victim of infantile pa
take up thy bed and walk" nor
will simple bed rest coupled with
light exercise suffice Recovery from
the residual paralysis of poliomye-
litis is matter of many months of
slow, inch-by-inch progress, prog
ress possible only through special
lied care and exercise directed by
those skilled in the treatment and
care of these cases. That much can
be gained and that this gain is we'll
worth the effort is evidenced by that
man who with the aid of medical
science overcame the handicap of pa
ralysis to rise to the most important
and illustrious position held by any
one in the world today-the Presi-
dent of the United States of Amer
lea. His experience was made the
more bitter in that he gave up a
promising career to retire to his
home and the daily routine of bed
exercise, he'd again in an effort to
regain the activity SO necessary to
one in public life. During these
long and weary months of suffering
he conceived an idea, held in COM
mon no doubt by all paralytic VIC
tins, that is: "Should ever be in a
position to aid or assist in any way
in the advancement of treatment
and cure of this affliction I will not
rest until this is accomplished"
Pursuant to this principle, for the
past SGVcTdl years IL udS UccA IHC
custom of this nation to celebrate
the birthday Of our president with
a ball, an evening devoted to pleas
ure and enjoyment Of a nature inn
possible to these folk. 1t is vouch-
safed us who can enjoy these activi-
ties, who are in possession of the
happy faculty of motion to support
and promulgate the care and treat
ment of the sufferers of poliomye-
litis by our presence there.
The night Of Saturday, Feb. 6, is
the time selected by the local COM
mittee in charge of this years pres
ident's ball. The affair will be held
in the armory at McConnelsville,
where both round and square dane
ing will continue throughout the
evening. Tables for bridge and a
cake walk are arranged for those
who do not dance. "Buy a ticket
and dance so that some unfortunate
child may some day walk"