Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1919 — Advice to American Disabled Soldiers From Their French “Grandfather” [ARTICLE]

Advice to American Disabled Soldiers From Their French “Grandfather”

By DR. MAURICE BOURRILLON

Paris

Since I am director of the National Institute for Disabled Soldiers ■at Paris and since I have been called the grandfather of the movement for the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers, let me speak to you as I should speak to my children and give you a few words of advice before I leave your powerful and wonderful country. I have just been visiting the first institutions which the American people have organized for giving you assistance in the reconstruction of your lives. If yon-have lost an arm or a leg, or even both, or are otherwise permanently disabled, you can still become a skillful workman in a trade which will be carefully chosen for you. Or, if you prefer, you can complete your general instruction, and after education in certain subjects find splendid positions in commercial, industrial or scientific firms. I firmly -believe that, just as our French soldiers have done, you will understand that it is your duty both to America and to yourselves to put into the reconstruction of your lives the same ardor and courage which you gave evidence of when you came to the of France. Many of our French soldiers believed that inasmuch as they had been wounded in serving the nation the nation ought to support them for the rest of their lives. France no more than America thinks of quibbling over the right of her wounded soldiers to generous compensation for their disabilities, but -she is convinced that she should give a further proof of her appreciation of the valiant defenders by placing them in a position to serve their country again through their work.