Published: October 18, 2009 09:25 pm      

Milestone

Crippled Children’s league now 75 years old

In the 75 years that The League for Crippled Children has been in operation, thousands of children have received orthopedic, cerebral palsy and speech and physical therapy services.

The nonprofit organization serves children from birth to age 21 in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania at no cost to them or their families.

The first clinic was held in 1926 at the Lonaconing home of Anne Sloan, who realized the great need to treat children in Allegany County with orthopedic problems. She invited Dr. George Bennett, orthopedic surgeon, from Baltimore, to conduct the clinic. This grew into a regular program that became known as The Maryland League for Crippled Children, with periodic clinics being offered throughout the year.

The number of children needing care steadily grew and ultimately won the support of Henrietta Schwarzenbach. She organized a group of individuals to form an agency that led to a charter being granted and The Allegany County, Maryland, League for Crippled Children Inc. was formed May 31, 1934.

The first headquarters was at 59 Pershing St. In 1940, the Old City Jail, which currently is home to Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, was allocated to the league and underwent remodeling and renovating for its office and clinics. In 1971, the league moved to the Regional Health Center for Allegany County on Willowbrook Road and is currently housed in the Willowbrook Office Complex.

In June 1997, the league and the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry formed the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic, which is under the management of the league.

In 2003, the name became The League for Crippled Children Inc. The next year, through the leadership of Dr. Robert Carpenter, plastic surgeon, the Cumberland Cleft Clinic was formed. These clinics are held twice a year by professionals organized to provide free services for cleft lip and palate patients.

The league offers 12 orthopedic and two orofacial clinics throughout the year. For more information or to have a child seen, call (301) 759-5200 or stop by the office at 12501 Willowbrook Road.

We congratulate the league on its 75th anniversary and also commend the many individuals and businesses who have supported the organization through its seven-plus decades.