Post Polio Syndrome

One of my clients had polio when she was 5 in 1946. She woke up during the night and when she tried to get out of bed, she fell. Her legs were paralyzed. She pulled herself along the floor into her parents room. At that time doctors made housecalls. The doctor knew she needed to get to the children’s hospital immediately. They didn’t have ambulances, but her uncle knew the funeral director, so he borrowed the hearse and drove her to Buffalo Childrens Hospital where she spent several months. 

She missed just about all of kindergarten. Polio being contagious, left her mostly alone with a glass window separating her and her family. Imagine that at 5 years old. The doctors and nurses wore sterile gowns and would come in to give her painful treatments. The treatment consisted of steaming hot packs developed by an Australian nurse named Sister Elizabeth Kenny, to hopefully reverse paralysis and regenerate the nerves. This was a fairly new treatment in America in the 40s. Along with exercise, she was one of the lucky ones who not only survived, but was able to walk again. 

What they didn’t know then was several decades later, a condition called post polio syndrome would develop in as much as 50% of survivors. 

 My client led an active life until her 40s when she developed post polio syndrome. As time went on she had to gradually give up the things she loved like golf. She is now in her 80s, and although spry in mind, her legs do not work. The affected muscles and nerves cause pain, weakness and fatique. She is very limited on the amount of time she can stand or walk. Some people develop other symptoms such as breathing issues and complications. 

I help her with tasks such as laundry, changing her bedding, and meal preparation. I’ve made soup for her, and casseroles that she can divide and freeze into smaller portions. She loves it that I enjoy cooking for her, but most of all she enjoys my company and compassion. Many people do not understand disabilities they cannot see. 

If you are still reading this, I wish to educate on the diseases eradicated by vaccines and how life long debilitating they can be, if they are survived. Since the polio vaccine was developed in the 50s, most of us have been vaccinated and spared from suffering. I hope to never see these diseases again, but it is a concern.