About Us...
The League - a children's place!, incorporated as The League for Crippled Children, Inc., a private, non-profit 501 © (3) organization, has been in existence since 1926 and incorporated in 1934. Prior to this, Dr. George Bennett of Baltimore organized a clinic in Lonaconing, fifteen minutes from Cumberland, at the request of Mrs. Ann Sloan in 1926. Nearly 90 crippled children attended the first clinic. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Bennett and Dr. William S. Baer held the first clinic in Cumberland. Two clinics a year were scheduled.
Seven years later, the League was formally formed and incorporated, thanks to the founders, Miss Henrietta Schwartzenbach and Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin. The first two clinics sponsored by the League were conducted by Dr. Bennett with Dr. George Eaton assisting. 308 children were examined.
Since that time, over 30,000 children (birth to twenty-one) have been examined in the free orthopedic, cerebral palsy, and brace clinics held monthly in Cumberland and orofacial clinics held twice a year in Hagerstown. Pediatric, orthopedic specialists travel from Baltimore to care for the children. There are no pediatric, orthopedic specialists in Cumberland. Families would otherwise be required to transport their children with special needs to Baltimore or Morgantown, West Virginia for evaluations and treatment. The League also provides speech and physical therapy evaluations and treatment.
The League services counties of Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. However, no child would be refused services regardless of demographics or circumstances. The League has provided services to children as far away as Washington State. Referrals are accepted from family, nurses, pediatricians, agencies, etc.
The League operates strictly through donations, fundraisers, memorials, and bequests. An all-volunteer board governs the organization. An Executive Director oversees the overall functioning with an Administrative Assistant and a Financial Assistant. There is also a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist and a contract Physical Therapist rounding out the staff.
The League provides financial assistance to families traveling to Baltimore, etc. for appointments and surgery. This includes lodging, transportation and food. Properly fitting shoes are purchased to accommodate orthotics. Medical supplies and special devices and equipment are purchased as necessary for the children. Corrective shoes, braces, crutches, wheelchairs, x-rays, etc. are also provided as needed.
The League is celebrating 77 years of service to the community. One of the League’s physicians, Dr. Thomas E. Hunt also celebrated 46 years of service to the League, which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the United States
