Evening star., 1960-05-16
SECOND STEP ON ROAD BACK
Butch Masters New Arms
By JAMES r. MOSER, JR.
Star stan Writer

Star stan Writer
Robert Butch) Upton, IA,
who lost his arms four years
ago this month, now has his
second artificial set and is
learning how to use them at
the Woodrow Wilson Rehabili-
tation Center at Fishersville,
Va.
Playing in a tree at his home
at McConchie. Md, in May
1856, Butch touched a high
tension wire carrying 1900
volts and was knocked from
the treetop almost lifeless. His
arms were blackened to his
shoulders.
Taken to Georgetown Uni
versity Hospital, both arms
were amputated about a week
later. Butch then began a he
roic fight for recovery. He
never cried. nor has he COM
panied since. according to rela-
tiveS and others who have
worked with him.
And at the center in the
valley of Virginia. Butch is
among some AIS handicapped
children and adults.
Butch was fitted with his
first arm the left. because
he's left-handed-on August
81, 1856. He subsequently got
the right one and learned TO
use the two fairly well. but he
would discard them on COM
ing home from school and use
his toes. This habit is being
discouraged at the center-ex-
cept in an emergency.
Has Active Schedule
At the center, he already Is
learning to clean his teeth with
the hooks he wears on both
arms, and he is eating with the
left one. He brushes his teeth,
he types. and he will be taught
how to put his arms on and
take them OF by himself
At the sprawling rehabilita-
tion center, used during World
War II as an Army general
hospital. Butch's day goes
something like this:
From 8 am. to 10 am. he is
with Miss Anderson learning to
move his shoulders so as to con-
troll his arms and hooks. The
new set of artificial limbs are
more flexible than the first.
From 10 to II am. he is
taught mathematics, reading
and spelling in the special edu-
cation class of William Cashatt,
80, who teaches from a Wheel
chair.
For the next three hours he
is back with Miss Anderson,
who helps him learn to eat his
lunch, and other routine chores.
For instance, although there's
a foot pedal on the water foun-
tain, Butch pulls down a paper
cup and drinks from that.
Butch is under the center's
physical restoration program
in the medical department
where he is under the watch
full eye of DIR. Roy M. Hoover,
orthopedist and medical direc-
tor Of the center.
Care Costs $S.75 a Day
Through DR.. Hoover and an
amputee team Butch was
measured and fitted at the CEN
ter for his present set of arms.
Their cost was under $1,000
about twice the cost Of his first
set.
At the center, which is ad-
ministered by the Virginia De-
partment of Education's Voca-
tional Rehabilitation Division,
Butch's daily expenses amount
to $8.75.
The Maryland boy was en-
tered at the Virginia institu-
ton through efforts of officials
of Charles County and the
Maryland State Board of Edu-
cation.
Trust funds were set up in
Washington and LaPlata for
Butch shortly after he lost his
arms four years ago. But costs
Of new arms as he grows and
other expenses are cutting into
the money.
Contributions are still being
accepted at the Union Trust
Co., Fifteenth and H streets
NV; by Attorney James C.
Mitchell, chairman of the board
of trustees of the fund at La
Plata, or the Rev. Wade SAT-
ford, 1899 Mt. Pleasant street
NV. Mr.. Stafford is Butch's
pastor.