CHAPTER 36
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND
SCHOOL EDUCATION
Various recreational activities, to combat boredom in hospital, such as concerts, lectures,
cinema shows and visits to exhibitions, were included in the programme of rehabilitation
of these patients, who were also encouraged to take the initiative in organizing various
recreational activities. A chess club was formed amongst the patients, and in 1944 a
choir was started by the writer under the leadership of a voluntary conductor. At Christ
mas, the paraplegics were the carol singers of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which was not
only a great encouragement to other severely disabled people but gave themselves a
feeling of contributing to the enjoyment of their fellow patients, which helped their own
morale. In the summer of 1946, the 'Choir on Wheels' performed most successfully at a
public concert in the hospital concert hall.
A few of our former patients have shown interest in the piano. As, however, they were
FIG. 258.
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