Evening star., 1942-03-29
Rehabilitation in
Greet Britain
Bp Frederic J. Hdsktn.

gram for disabled soldiers and civilians,
which may be followed by other coun-
tries. This needed program Is in con-
trast to what Britain and the United
States did in the last war, for ut that
time no rehabilitation program was set
up until after the close Of the struggle,
and then 1t was restricted to ex-service
men.
In the present conflict, Britain recog-
nizes the national obligation to give all
possible help to those who have been
injured either as q direct or indirect re-
suit Of the war. 1t Is obviously In the
interest Of the country that every one
should get back to some productive effort
As soon as possible. To this end q
scheme has been devised for consulting,
advising, training and resettling the dis
abled. Moreover, training facilities are
provided where they are needed, and IN
addition. wage is paid during the
training period.
The plan is frankly interim IN con-
cept, for 1t Is realized that to draft dis
abled people into munitions work will
not provide all Of them with lifelong
jobs, although many branches Of NUM-
tions-making viii revert to peace-tirne
industry and take their employees along
with them into permanent employment.
But even on a shorter view, those who
are benefited by the plan will have
learned . new trade or have kept their
skill in an old one and thus be better
fitted for postwar life, and obviously
less Of q burden on society.
BY tackling the Job now officials en-
trusted with its administration have
pointed out that war conditions result in
the maximum number Of jobs with the
minimum number of applicants, whereas
after the war the situation will be re-
versed. As an Illustration Of this, about
$4,000 disabled British soldiers Of the
first World War were out of employment
in July 1899. but by March 194l, more
than $1,000 of these had found jobs.
The plan and its execution Is q re-
sponsibility Of the Ministry of Labor.
Ofncials of this branch of the govern
ment get in contact with disabled people
while they are still in hospitals. and fnd
out from them their qualifications and
what Jobs they prefer when able TO work.
| In this way, a persons training program
can be worked out in advance so as to
| avoid loss of time after he is discharged
from the hospital. But one OF the most
helpful features Of this contact with the
disabled while they are still under medi-
cal care Is the hope 1t brings to them.
Most people who are injured conceive
the idea that unless they can return to
their regular occupation they will be
unable to make q living. To dispel this
gloom interviewers, with the counsel Of
surgeons, point out to patients the vari-
GUS things which they can do, and in
many instances it builds up greater hopes
and gives q new inspiration to get we'll.
Another advantage of early consul
tation about future occupation Is that
surgeons now actually set limbs with
such considerations in view. An arm
or 4 finger. for instance, that is des-
tined to be stiff for life will be set at
the least awkward angle and q dam
aged hip will be treated according to
the patients vocation.
When a patient comes out Of the hos
pital and is ready for training. every
thing has been prepared. BY having q
record Of the case In advance, such q
patients qualifications and desires for
the future. his place Of training also can
be selected in advance Instruction Is
available In drafting. tnstrument-mak
ing, machine operating. all types Of
Welding. electrical installation. sheet
metal working. various types Of radio
work, and q host of other useful occu-
pations
During the training period weekly al
lowances range from $3.40 to $40, the
scale Of pay being based on sex and age.
In addition, each trainee receives his
dinner each day, or il he 50 chooses, an
allowance of 81 per week will be substi-
tuted His travelling expenses, too, are
allowed, and If he Is married $l50 per
week is added for the wife and go cents
for each child.
In this endeavor to help reshape the
problems present themselves, the most
difficult being those who have suffered
injury to the mind. In this category
more cases derive from air-raid cas-
ualties than from other sources. No
doubt the reason for this is that the
average civilian Is not in such robust
health As the soldier, his injury Is often
suffered in very distressing surroundings
and not as q member of the fighting
service under discipline. It Is realized
that probably the mental cases will re.
quire the longest period Of rehabilita.
ton. Those who seem hopeless will b
sent to institutions for the feeble
minded.
On casual thought 1t might be Is.
sumed that . man who had lost both
legs would also be . case for special at
tention. But, broadly speaking. this Ii
not the situation. With the aid Of arti.
hcial limbs men who have lost one or
both legs often can take their places on
An equal productive basis with other
workers. Many times the loss Of . limb
has resulted in . new and better occu-
patton, and often has changed for the
better . persons outlook on life.
The plan is open to all over the age Of
l6, and Is not limited to those whose
injury can be directly attributed to the
war, although 1t was that which caused
the plan to be evolved The primary pur.
pose Is to enable all injured persons to
| resume their normal or other occupa.
tions. Foreigners who have suffered in
jury since the beginning Of the war are
not excluded. and the rules relating to
them are 70 elastic they include not only