Case 2

As a District Visitor in S. Philip's Parish Battersea I have known J. for more than eight years. His parents have always been two of the most wretched and degraded people in the neighbourhood & they seldom remain in one house for more than a few months. They have a large family none of whom have ever been Baptized with the exception of the little deformed boy whom I am most anxious to find a home for. When this poor child was about seven years old he fell down on the ice, which injured him severely, he also was fearfully burnt & From great neglect afterwards he has never fully recovered from these two accidents. He received relief from some hospital and proper supports & instruments were provided for him. But on his return to his wretched home his mother pawned these things & then went round the neighbourhood to beg money for a cripple boy at home the child when strong enough then swept a crossing on Clapham Common but his health gradually got worse and about a year ago, he was found by one of the S. Philip's District Visitors in such a fearful state of neglect and want that with great difficulty he was taken when in a most critical condition into the Orthopaedic Hospital. Meanwhile the sisters at S. Michael's Shouditch hearing of the case promised as soon as their new Hospital for sick & destitute incurable children was built to take him for Life "free" if he was crippled enough for their incurable home. Their home was not ready till last November and the May previously he was fit to come out of the Orthopaedic Hospital where they had kept him for three months hearing the sad circumstances of his home. Several ladies feeling that the child would be ruined if he was allowed to go back to his parents kindly provided him with the means to keep him at various Convalescent Homes from May to Decber 1st [?] he was on the latter date received at S. Michael's Shouditch for a month on trial to see if his was a suitable case for the home & he is now there. I am sorry to say that the Superior of S. Michael's tells me she fears that they cannot keep him much longer, for the Doctor says that from the proper care, good food and treatment he has had during the last year he is so far recovered that he is not according to their rules perfectly disabled & incurable & that with proper care & food, there is little doubt of his growing up to learn a light trade. They are very fond of the child & are willing to keep him for a time so that he may go from them to another Home. He is now able to run about but a year ago he was compelled to lie on his back & was considered by several doctors in a very precarious condition he is naturally a very good, quiet, little boy & where-ever he has been he was evidently a great favourite. He is decidedly ignorant & can read & write very little.

S.

S. Paul's Close Clapham