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SPASTICS
Towards the end of the year, the No. 4. (Chelsea) Group Hospital
Management Committee indicated that it was their intention to initiate
a day centre for spastic children under the age of 5 or 6 years at the
Cheyne Hospital for Children in Cheyne Walk. At first it is anticipated
that twenty-four children will be accepted, but in the light of experience
gained, this number will, it is hoped, be increased.
Cerebral palsy, which produces what is known as the "spastic child",
has been the subject of recent research. Such a condition, arises from an
injury to the brain before, during, or after birth, and may render it
difficult for a child to either stand, walk, speak, or use its hands.
Until lately this problem was one difficult to cope with in view of the
fact that little was known about it, consequently children so affected
were deemed to be mentally defective, the tragic implications of whish
can be readily appreciated when considering the fact that their intelligence
is, in the majority of cases, quite normal.
The British Council for the Welfare of Spastics, under the presidency
of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is vigourously publicising the sad lot
of sufferers, and I feel sure that the action taken in this Borough will
certainly bring about a great improvement in the condition of children so
afflicted, and in due course help towards the ultimate attainment of a
fuller life which, at present, is endangered.
The day centre will, it is hoped, be opening in September, 1954.