Although the actual writing of this book has been done during the last two years, it had its real beginning one day in January, 1937, when my eight-year-old son became ill very suddenly. After the doctors had finished their examinations they said: "Your child must be confined entirely to bed for at least two years. And even if he lives, he will probably always have to lead a life of restricted physical activity. "

When the first dreadful shock had diminished, two goals compelled my attention. First, for my son's sake, my own and my family's sake, I had to forget the rebellion and bitterness aroused by the doctors' words. Second, new recreational plans had to be made for my son, to help him pass the long hours and endless days that lay ahead. I knew that only I myself could attain the first goal; but for the second, surely there must be someone who could help by giving ideas and suggestions.

But in the largest city in the United States I could not find anyone or any place to turn for real, practical help in this problem. (This was before there was any widespread realization of the need for rehabilitation programs such as those that now exist and are being constantly expanded. ) Instead, I worked out from day to day and week to week ideas for games and occupations that would not tax my son's strength too much. During the time he was ill and in the hospital, I also met parents of other bedbound children who were baffled by the same problem.

My son did not survive his illness, but the idea of the need for help for parents and children did, and in 1939 what is now the Handicapped Children's Home Service began. It has grown wonderfully since those early days, but because all of the play programs for our Service children are planned on a highly individual basis (as they must be, for no two children and no two family situations are alike), and because our funds are always limited, only a small number of children can be helped by the Service at one time (at present, not more than fifty). Frequently, therefore, parents of children we are unable to help, as well as parents in other parts of the country, ask for specific suggestions that they can use by themselves. This book is designed to help them-not only with handicraft and hobby ideas, but with other supplementary plans, and especially with suggestions for uniting the handicapped child with his up-and-around family.

Although the book was written primarily for parents of homebound children, I believe that almost any parent will find some of these ideas useful for a completely well child who must stay indoors because of inclement weather. The material has been arranged so that a busy mother can find suggestions conveniently and quickly. Some of these hints are old standbys, whereas others are new. Some of them were passed on to us by mothers of homebound children; some of them were first developed and used by ingenious and resourceful Service volunteers.

An idea like that of the Service, no matter how important it may be, cannot grow without the trust, help, understanding, and cooperation of many people, both lay and professional. To express my gratitude to everyone who helped found the Service and has contributed to its development during these years would require a volume in itself.

Like the Service, this book represents the encouragement and active assistance of many friends who have supplied professional background and experience, practical suggestions, and skilled editorial and typing work. Among these generous helpers, I want to mention particularly Parker Dooley, M. D., Mathilde M. Gould, M. D., Theodate H. Soule, and Dr. Roland H. Spaulding; and also Clarice Blackburn, Isabel L. Davis, Edna S. Preston, Bertha S. Slavin, and Nick Sowka.

Last but not least, my gratitude and admiration to the courageous children and their parents who have been the greatest inspiration of all to me and to the Service.

Margery D. McMullin