J. was disabled. He suffered from "anterior polio-myelitis" or "congenital paraplegia" and was described as being able to stand and progress with crutches. He was one of twins and came from a family of six children who had lost their mother. His father could not look after him as he had to go out to work and the eldest girls in the family were too young to care for him. His case was referred to the Waifs and Strays' Society Cripples Committee and various medical forms were completed by doctors on the Isle of Wight stating that the child was bright and intelligent and considered capable of eventually supporting himself. He was received into St Martin's Home for disabled boys on 29 May 1903 but unfortunately he was not considered suitable for the Home as they found him to be "mentally deficient". Combined with his physical disability this meant he was helpless and the Home did not have the facilities to care for him. They were obliged to discharge him and he was returned to his friends on 17 August 1903.
