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During the year Heathcote Lodge was made into a home for the more infirm and confused
who required more nursing care than would normally be given in the other Homes. Shortage of
domestic staff is a serious problem and great difficulty is encountered in securing experienced
cooks.
One lady who was admitted to one of the Homes about two years ago and who was nearly
helpless from crippling rheumatism, became so well rehabilitated during the year that she has been
rehoused in a Council ground floor flat.
All except one Home has a League of Friends attached to it, and they have all worked
extremely hard arranging outings, entertainments and sales and performing many acts of kindness
and friendship for the residents.
All humans have four basic needs, the need for affection (to give and to receive); the need
for security; the need for achievement; the need for acceptance in a group. It is obvious, therefore,
that it is the whole family who must receive help and support in the many problems which
arise. When it is a blind, deaf or physically handicapped person who has asked for help it is
important to remember that he/she is foremost a person and that the handicap is secondary. The
handicap is, of course, a reality which limits activity and obviously must influence attitudes but
the person is an individual and as such is different from other handicapped persons even though
the handicap is the same.
Due to shortage of staff the blind handcraft class at Chingford had to be closed but it is
hoped to re-open this at the earliest possible moment. The blind handcraft classes at Walthamstow
and at Leytonstone have been well attended and the work produced is of the highest standard.
Rehabilitation and training for employment have been arranged for the younger disabled
during the year. The occupation centre at Roberts Hall has provided employment on outwork from
factories and pastime activities in the form of craft work for about a hundred persons. Only two
coaches with tail lifts have been available which limits the numbers who can only attend if
transport is provided. Some travel in their own invalid carriages and others are able to use public
transport. It is hoped that additional vehicles will soon be provided. The centre was open daily
from Monday to Friday and lunch was provided.
Holidays were arranged at camps and guest houses for the blind and physically handicapped
and were much appreciated.
An exhibition of aids for the handicapped and a sale of handcrafts made by them was held
in November at Ross Wyld Hall and was opened by the Mayor. Two silver cups, given by
Councillor A.M. O'Reilly and the Essex County Association by the Blind, were presented to the
best blind and the best sighted exhibitors.
Special badges have continued to be issued to disabled drivers to affix to front and back
windows of their invalid carriages and cars to signify that they are severely disabled. These
badges enable the police to take a lenient view should the vehicle be parked in a restricted area,
providing it does not cause an obstruction.
Problems concerning the hard of hearing,lip-reading, teaching,hearing aids, etc., were
dealt with by specialist staff but the problems of the born deaf, i.e. those without speech or
language, were referred to the Royal Association in aid of the Deaf and Dumb as there is a chronic
shortage of qualified people to deal with them.
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