The Key West citizen., 1952-11-18

SAID MRS. Cox IN reporting or
developments, ''When I organized
and took Office as president Of the
Cerebral Palsy Association II
June 1851, did so because the
Cerebral Palsy chapter was with.
out officer operation. At that time,
the amount Of funds on hand in
the Florida National Bank was
$16.05. ! proposed to group OF
people interested in this wonderful
cause to organize the Monroe Coun.
ty Crebral Palsy Association, a non
affiliate of the national organiza.
ton. / also proposed a charter for
this association for Monroe County,
based upon Florida State laws, not
New York, which was voted or
and approved by the new officers
and members of the organization. .
1--WE then started our campaign
for membership, collection drive
and registration Of all cases of
Cerebral Palsy in Monroe County
and all expenses connected there
with were paid by me personally.
/ further proposed the establish
ment of a clinic and due to the
fact that there were not a suffi-
cient number Of Cerebral Palsy
cases in the county to support
clinic it was decided by all officers
Of the board Of directors and men,
bers to treat other forms Of Grip
pies, including the aftermath of
polo, strokes and arthritis and
other forms of cripples Of which
we found a considerable number
who can support a clinic" she
stated.
The Cerebral Palsy National Or
ganization does not include other
cripples. II is believed that visi-
tors and tourists viii take advan-
tage Of the climate and patronize
the clinic for Physio Therapy clini-
cal treatment.
The charter was drawn up and
completed by States Attorney, j.
Lancelot Lester, who donated his
services and recording fee for the
charter as his contribution toward
the goal. The charter was granted
In April Of this year by Judge
Lopez Jr. The establishment of this
clinic was made possible by the
vice president, DR.. Julio dePoo,
who has given US the privilege of
the use Of space In the Galley dePoo
Hospital. The clinic could not be
possible without this privilege.
AT the time Of the charter, the
Organization had a grand total of
$l923.OS, This was hard uphill
Ofdeal for a few workers who had
faith and interest in this humane
cause. With the cooperation and
grand work of the entertainment
chairman. Mrs. Harvey Bush, Mrs.
Teresa Braxton, Mrs. Mary Amy,
Mrs. Olga dePoo, Miss Harra and
Mrs. Elliott williamson, the Adobe
was made possible.
DR.. Julio dePoo was authorized
to negotiate for physio-therapist
and reported that the groups
would have to guarantee a salary
of 100000 per year. The organiZa-
tlon again worked diligently to OBJ.
tain the necessary funds and were
only short SITS, which Mrs. Cox
donated herself. This was announc-
ed the goal for the therapist was
reached. Again DR.. dePoo negoti-
ated for the therapist and he has
reported that the least one could
be obtained for was $257.00 per
month. The few workers again con-
tinued their efforts for more funds
TO establish the clinic.
AS of October q, 1852, the
books were audited and after the
total disbursements of $l5S.25,
there remains a grand total bal.
ance Of $S575.31, for which we
thank those who had the faith and
heart to make this clinic possible, /"
Mrs. Cox continued. ''If you could
see some Of the cases that / 60
out and see and advise the parents
on procedure and contact with
physio Therapist and doctors and
advise and instruct them in TEN.
porary relief measures, you would
never hesitate to give a little to-
ward relieving their plight and
that Of their parents" Mrs. Cox
said.
Some Of the children Of Naval
personnel in Key West are sent
TO the Naval Hospital for treatment
and care, but the civilian popula.
tion have no place to 80 except
Miami, which is too far away and
too expensive. The long trip to
Miami Is too fatiguing on the Grip.
pies and they would not benefit
rs much from the treatments as
they would II Il were done locally.
Five years ago, when | bought
my home In Key West. Mrs.
Cox said, "A grandmother Of q
cerebral palsy child appealed to
me to help her granddaughter. I
took her to Or, Kaiser In Miami,
who was very cooperative. He
wrote a letter TO the county clinic
instrieting therapy treatment.
Judge Lord signed her papers and
the County Clinic was able to OBJ
tain the services Of q Navy wife.
who was . therapist.