Evening star., 1940-11-17

the other agencies concerning them
selves with blindness in the District
are doing, what new approaches are
being considered, what new facili-
ties are being provided. Thus ben
Gifted by knowledge of the scope of
counsel and care being offered, they
are able to decide whether the De-
partment for the Blind or some
other organization is best able to
handle properly any case referred.
Local cases given to the Maryland
School for the Blind because the
District has no comparable institu-
ton are checked from time TO time.
Miss Plants explains that the op-
portunity to study in company with
sighted pupils is of great benefit in
developing self-assurance. but is
practicable only in cases of excep-
tional aptitude.
Adjustment Devised.
Circumstances totally different
from those surrounding Vernon
came to light in the case of Evelyn,
colored girl now working part
time at a Washington settlement
house which, like the Department
for the Blind, is Chest member,
but the case worker was able to
devise an adjustment which resulted
in her becoming imbued with a new
spirit of optimism. a will to think of
making constructive use of her life.
Without the adjunct of the Fam
lily Service Association this girl
would have become increasingly en-
blttered, convinced that for her no
hope of contented state ever could
be held, Miss Plants points out. With
aid of the department. she was able
to fashion new viewpoint and give
assistance in plotting her course.
Now Evelyn goes about her tasks
in the settlement smilingly. An
extra source of happiness is the par
tial restoration of her sight. Her
job, arranged through the co-opera-
tive policy of Chest affiliates, is car
ing for children in the day nursery.
The blind, as we'll as the deaf.
need the specialized consideration
of their problems provided by the
Community Chest through the De-
partment for the Blind of the Fam
lily Service Association and the
Washington Society for the Hard
of Hearing Expansion is most de-
slrable, executives of both organiza- =
tions assert, but maintenance of the
services now offered is imperative.
The goal of the current campaign
must be reached if these handi-
capped citizens are not to be de-
prived of a part of this minimum
contribution to their well-being, they
declare.
Band to Help Each Other.
The Washington Society for the
Hard of Hearing was formed by a
group of people who found that their
deficiency, not being so arresting as
blindness, had not attracted the
communitys concern. They resolved
to band together to help each other.
Lip-reading classes are available
to all who apply, special welfare
projects providing interests for the
deaf are conducted, and advice on
individual situations is made avail
able.
In the files of the two organiza-
tions are recorded many cases diff
fering from those of Evelyn and
Vernon but, paradoxically, like
them. The variance is in circum-
stances-environment, intelligence,
temperament, degree of handicap.
The similarity is in result-confi-
dence in ability to carry on to the
goal, of contentment.
Evelyn and Vernon count the
helping hand to happiness EXTEND
ed them by society through the
Community Chest their greatest
blessing. Their hope is that other
Washingtonians will consider that
helping hand community necessity
for 1941.