Disclaimer: The following was transcribed from an article in the Capper Foundation Archives. The choice of words used at the time this was written may not reflect current Capper Foundation inclusive language and views.

Lorraine (1939)

One day they were helpless cripples. Now they are living normal, happy lives.

That’s the story of many former patients for whom The Capper Foundation for Crippled Children has provided hospitalization. Persons who have contributed generously to the agency since it was founded by Arthur Capper perhaps would like to know that their investment in humanity is bringing in dividends fully up to expectations.

Among the very first wards of the foundation was Lorraine, a little four-year-old Oklahoma girl with an extreme case of clubbed feet. Since birth, her ankles had been so twisted that she was doomed to a life of crippledom. The mother wrote: “We have spent all our money and still she is dreadfully deformed, as you can see by the picture reproduced in this story. We have been waiting till we are able to try again. The Capper Foundation is doing such wonderful work, we wondered if you would help us. We want so much to have her feet straightened so she can go to school like other children when she is old enough.”

Now Normal and Happy
Lorraine was given her chance. After a series of operations, casts, braces and other remedial measures provided by the Capper Foundation, the mother wrote again on Thanksgiving Day, 1922, “We surely have something to be thankful for.  Lorraine is doing wonders. She just jumps and hops and sings around here like a grasshopper. We hope all your other kiddies are getting along as well.”

Now, what of Lorraine after 22 years? Did her early handicap give her a morbid outlook on life? It did not. Fortunately, the defect was removed before it affected her character, judging from her picture and from her own words: “I like my work here in the insurance office very much. It gives me a chance to meet many interesting people.  At first, I thought I would never be able to talk to strangers, but after a few days, I found people liked my appearance and my courtesy. Now, I have a wide circle of friends, both old and young. I really get around well, and walking doesn’t bother me. I walk eight blocks to church every Sunday.”

There’s Lorraine today—a fine, attractive young woman, holding a responsible position and able to enjoy the good things of life. Is not that a satisfactory dividend on your investment?