Árdís - 01.01.1953, Page 74

72
ÁRDÍ S
in God, Elizabeth Kenny began treating her patients. She cured
them.
It wasn’t until many months and many cures later, that she
found out that according to the Medical Profession, she had treated
her patients for symptoms directly opposite to the known ones.
But cure them she had. From then on for almost thirty-five years
Sister Kenny was to wage, single handed, one of the most courageous
battles ever fought. When at last, victory had been won, she was
worn out physically and emotionally from the brutality of the
attacks, and from the vicious abuse of her opponents. Except for
three years when Kenny served as an Army Nursing Sister in
World World I, all her life was devoted to treating Infantile
Paralysis. During the war, she made twelve trips between Europe
and Australia accompanying wounded soldiers. Even after Armis-
tice, she continued to serve in a Veteran’s Hospital with such a
degree of self sacrifice, that she developed a severe heart ailment.
Despite her weakened heart, she resolutely set about establishing
her first clinic, plodding on, with only a few helpers in face of
insurmountable opposition, and often deception and betrayal.
But onward and upward she went, never losing faith in her
God-inspired work.
Once again, the words “A prophet is not without honor save
in his own country” proved true. It was in the U.S.A. that Sister
Kenny’s heroic work was finally recognized and rewarded. Up to
that time the Australian Medical Profession remained hostile, even
though parents of the cured or helped patients rose to call her
blessed.
What more fitting monument could there be to any woman, than
has been raised to Sister Kenny in the thankful hearts of the
thousands who live and have their being, because of her, who
refused to give up when it seemed she was defeated.