[Princess Eugénie and her work for the benefit of disabled children]

Princess Eugénie was the daughter of the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar I. She had a very good education; her favourite subjects were art and music. In the Spring of 1852, when she was 22 years old, she was stricken with a severe disease, and she was paralysed in one leg. During her illness she underwent a religious crisis. After recovering, her main interest was to assist poor and incurably ill children. Her name is above all associated with the Home of Eugénie (Eugenia-hemmet) in Stockholm, which was opened in 1886. This home accommodated at this time 45 children, but very soon the number increased. According to the regulations, the Home of Eugénie was to become a real home for these children. They were allowed to stay there until the age of 15, and to get a complete medical attention. They were also to receive an education as well as a vocational training. The princess put down most of her interest and her energy in the home. She knew all the children, started fundraising in aid for them. She herself donated them all her earnings. She even made porcelaine figurines which were spread and sold in big numbers. She died in 1889.