Haven for the "Germany's Blinded Veterans"
Reimagined History: The German Blind Association's War-Blinded Soldiers' Haven
In the heart of World War I, the German Blind Association pioneered a groundbreaking rehabilitation center for blinded soldiers in the tranquil seaside town of Binz, Rügen. This haven opened its doors to lightlessness on June 5, 1915, as per the "Usedom-Wolliner Dampfbote" news at the time. The association bore the cost of soldiers' stays in Binz and offered personal assistance for their journey there and back.
Education beyond the Battlefield
With a focus on more than just physical recovery by the sea, the association aimed to equip soldiers with necessary skills to reintegrate into society. In addition to learning Braille, the war-injured received career counseling assistance. The goal was simple: to catapult them back into civilian life and provide support within their families, placing the association's work within the fledgling field of war and disability services.
Many soldiers returned from the war with severe injuries, often resulting in lifelong disabilities. Rehabilitating a blinded man was no easy feat. However, men were considered the primary breadwinners of their families. According to a survey by the Prussian War Ministry, approximately 300 men were affected by mid-April 1915, making rehabilitation a pressing need.
From Battlefield to Classroom
The number of acute eye injuries at the front was staggering. The wounded were treated in field hospitals, transported back to their homeland on hospital trains, and offered specialized care in clinics, such as the University Eye Clinic in Greifswald. However, despite doctors' best efforts, some vision could not be restored.
Consequently, organizations like the "War Blind Foundation of the German Society for Artistic People’s Education" stepped in to help. In Greifswald, financial support requests were made for soldiers who had lost their sight and happiness, a somber testament to the human cost of the war.
This center was more than just a place for physical healing; it was a beacon of hope and a stepping stone towards a post-war life. Its impact extended beyond the boundaries of war, shaping future rehabilitation practices and instilling empathy in a world haunted by conflict.
In the post-war era, this center evolved as a significant hub for the scientific study and medical management of visual impairments related to war, with a goal to foster health and wellness not only for the blinded soldiers but also for future victims of war.
Moreover, the center served as a pioneer in the education of war-blinded individuals, paving the way for medical-conditions like theirs to be effectively managed and integrated into society within the broader field of health-and-wellness.
