The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-09-28

Avon, Sept. 2B-In the rolling Connecticut countryside, near Avon, Connecticut the determination Of the President Of the United States and the Surgeon General Of the United States Army that his war should produce no helpless and ufls adjused blind Is being realized. For, In the buildings of the former Avon old Farms School, the blinded sol" dlers of this war are being socially adjusted for civilian life under . unique course Of training at Old Farms c9nValeseent Hospital tSpl.
 Men at old Farms are physically sound. They have completed their medical or surgical treatments at general hospitals, and are ready to face the job Of meeting the pfops ions that inevitably arise in blind. ness, and helping them to better understanding Of how best to fare a new way Of life is the essential lob done ln the schoolsllke slrs roundings of old Farms. How that job is being done Is An interesting story.
 one of the primary aims Of this hospital is to build seif.confidenee In It's traineeg and . program hos been developed around this prlffl.. ary aim. old Farms Is not, and Of necessity cannot Do, training school in trades. It can and does show the blind soldier through exs periefice that there are few jobs that he cannot it himself to hold f he has the determination lt, through c program of putting the men on q seifsFeiiant basis, can show them that as blind men they need lean but little on their fellow citizens for help. It can turn out useful and selfsconfidont citizens, anxious to train themselves for use' fui lives,
 The newly arrived soldier finds himself in ar ideal setting for the work ahead. DoFmitoFy rooms give him privacy, life in the country provides him with the Burroundingg which protect him from the eyes Of the curious aB he learns his way about, but he Is near enough 70 . larger city to get also the feel Of life in afi urban center. Trained oFients ors help him to get about the hos" pitai grounds without canes and ars tificiai aids, and train him to use them efficiently when l. off the grounds. Glasses provide him with both work to pass the hours, and with training to help him find out his interests for the future. The gymnasium and playing fields of a1 outstanding boys school give him athletic and recreationAl facilities. Throughout he Is trained to overs come the usual blindisns, to walk erect, with SuFeness and confidence
 He finds himself relaxing in the quiet Of the countryside. He finds himself gaining in confidence as he gets about the grounds unaided. He finds companionship As his escort takes him in to town for aE1 occa. siOnai evening. He learns that the blind man can enjoy much the same FecreationS and pleasures as the sighted escort. He finds himself treated not aS c blind man. but as c man, and there can be . difference.
 As his four months stay progress geS he ig given ail opportunity to work tfl surrounding Connecticut factories, with pay checks aiding in building his confidence in his abll. fly to take care of himself and his family He is given courses in BrailIe, in Public Speaking, ifl pracs ticaI subjects that will be Of use to him. He begins to learn skilis that help him decide on his future oc- equation. Tn many cases he re- celves preparation iii academic subs jects which will aid him in resuSn- ing his education, often interrupted by the war. And throughout he has the backing of skilled advisers. Tests to determine his basic skillg and interests are given, and coun- sellers discuss with him the prOb- ianfs that 70 with klha various aes