Cites Tom Furness
Description:

'Tom Furness, 15, Firthcliffe Grove.

 

I accompanied Mr. Newsome on a visit to above-named to-day and am of the opnion that he will be able to di the job if we can find the right one for him. Obviously his scope is severely limited and it may be a long and difficult task to find a job within that scope in this district.

On the credit side there is his grand spirit - I am sure he will attempt anything we can suggest - and that he is prepared to travel any reasonable distance in his motor tricycle, and he has hopes of early delivery of a Ministry of Pensions car which will further enlarge his range and protect him from weather. He seems to enjoy a good general health at present but I am not sure that he would continue to do so if he were compelled to travel in his tricycle in bad weather. He has full use of hands and arms and the upper part of his body and is quite capable of looking after himself, provided there are decent toilet facilities with a wide door.

On the debit side is the fact that he cannot work anywhere unless he can get into the shop etc. in his wheel chair. He cannot leave his chair unless he is lifted out. He is temprementally unsuited to most types of work within his capabilities which really come to mind, such as clerical work, leather work etc. He has already tried most of the types of work provided by Red Cross - rug making, leather thonging, sewing etc., and confesses that he just cannot concentrate on such work and has no desire to try again. I agree with the recommendation that he would be suitable for bench assembly and would add viewing, unskilled inspection or anything to do with engineering, in which he is most suited, though no suitable job can be ruled out.

I suggest that the best course of action is a personal call to all possible firms to enlist their interest in firstly, for psychological reasons, giving him a job in the firm or, secondly, homework. We have already tried his previous employer, Birkbys, but there is nothing at present. Mr. Newsome is endeavouring to get in touch with Col.Fenton, managing director of B.B.A., who it is understood are interested in this man. The British Legion may provide other introductions.

If all else fails he may be able to manage Remploy at Leeds or Huddersfiled (when open) but he is still only fit for part-time work according to his D.P.1 (Z) of December, 1949, and these journeys would put undue strain on him. He would also lose almost as much as he would earn, by reduction in allowances on taking up employment which would bring in a small wage after deduction.

I repeat this will be a long and difficult task in view of the lack of light industries in this area but it is not an impossible one.'