f courage. This demand will be lessened
when the public learns to look upon blindness as a physical, not a
mental handicap, and when, instead of compelling persons so handicapped
to sit on the side lines holding their broken swords, it leads them
forward, places a new sword in their hands, and brings them the glad
tidings that they are needed on the firing line. Loss of eyesight is
always deplorable, but it is not so terrible as the isolation which
generally follows it, an isolation due, in large measure, to
misconception, lack of information, and misplaced sympathy on the part
of the public, generous to a fault in bestowing alms, but slow to
believe in the ability of the blind, and the wisdom of employing them.
If the public could be brought to look upon the blind, not as an
isolated class whose affliction entitles them to the pity and generous
alms of those more fortunate, but as men and women, with normal aims and
desires, just as full of hope, just as eager to work, and just as
interested in things as when they saw them through the natural medium,
their handicap would be lessened and their lives much happier. Most
people think all that can be done for the blind is to divert them, amuse
them, provide for them in institutions, or encourage them to accept
private charity. This lack of understanding on the part of the public is
the greatest drawback to the advancement of the blind, and often leads
to untold misery. Occupation the blind should have, must have, if they
are to enjoy any degree of happiness, or retain their self-respect. Loss
of eyesight does not deprive a man of his desire to earn his daily
bread, or to provide for those dependent upon him. He is willing and
eager to work, and should be given the chance. A French physician,
himself without eyesight, said: "So long as the blind can still bring
their stone, however small it may be, to the building of civilization,
or of bringing happiness to their kind, they feel that they live; and
whatever be the wounds received, they are not out of the battle of
life--the inequality of arms only increases their ardor." This
inequality of arms should, and usually does, act as a spur to the
courageous man or woman, but to the mind of the average sighted person,
this inequality seems to apply inability, and so very little is expected
of the blind, and little thought is given to their possibilities.
Senator Gore, the blind Senator from Oklahoma, says: "It is a mistake to
tell