An Old Enemy Rears It’s Ugly Head
My dream assignment would be to contact people that first met this enemy as a child. This enemy has stalked mankind for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. What enemy you ask? It is the dreaded Polio Virus.
In 1789 the British physician, Michael Underwood, gave the first clinical description of Polio. He referred to it as the debility of the lower extremities. In the united States the hot summer days in the 1950’s were cause for terror. This monster was attacking with unquenchable thirst. Many parents, so fearful that the Polio Virus would attack their child next, kept them indoors. The favorite past time of summer, swimming, was considered a lurking place for the virus. The rich would send their children out of cities to safe areas. At the height of the polio epidemic in 1952, nearly 60,000 cases with more than 3,000 deaths were reported in the United States alone.
By interviewing some of these victims, I would like to bring attention back to this virus that is almost eradicated in the U.S. Why? Because this enemy that many had put out of their minds, has come back with a vengeance. No, not as a virus that would endanger new victims, but reappearing as pain, fatigue and weakness in the bodies of the initial victims. Ten to forty years after the first onset, the overuse of muscles to compensate for muscles that were severely damaged caused these symptoms to reappear and intensify. Today, some 70 percent of polio survivors in the United States are experiencing Post Polio Syndrome.
This enemy did not discriminate among it’s victims. Ordinary people by the thousands were affected. But, famous people too. Most people know that Franklin D. Roosevelt the 32nd President of the United States suffered from Polio. But did you know that, Mia Farrow, Donald Sutherland, Jack Nicklaus, Dinah Shore, Alan Alda, Lionel Barrymore, Itzhak Perlman, and Neil Young to name but a few, were also caught in it’s merciless clutches.
There is still the threat of this virus in countries such as India, Nigeria, Pakistan and many others. I have had my own battles with this enemy for over fifty years. At the young age of 7, I remember falling at the foot of my mom and dad’s bed and never walking again. Now, I too suffer from this new round of battles with my childhood enemy.
Please help me to document the lives in pictures of some of these modern day heroes that have had to struggle most of their lives with an ‘Enemy’ that doesn’t play fair!
44 Comments
Good luck and God Bless.
I love it...definitely something more people need to be aware of!
I like your idea!
I voted for you; will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Good luck!
It seems some great ideas are getting lost in the wave networking votes so if you'll vote for me I will vote for you. Thanks for your idea and vote... Jkava888
Very cool. Please, check me out too when you've got the time.
You do Polio Survivors in the 21st Century justice. As a fellow polio survivor I am proud to vote for you.
James
Polio Survivors in the 21st Century
PPS is a true epidemic today. My wife is a survivor. You have my vote
Many are unaware this is still around and needs to be addressed. Raising awareness is the the first step.
I love this idea! check out mine and Pic it if youd like! Congo here I come...
Your's is a great idea. I am one of those you are talking about. Hope you win & will help to bring others to read your idea. It would be wonderful to have the fact we, those cute little MoD poster kids, are still here and suffering to adapt
Linda Dickinson
Class of 1954 PPS-1989
Best wishes hope you get it!
God Bless, This was awesome! I am a fellow Polio Survivor and I want you to know that this is very well written. Good for you my friend..
A F/V vote from Australia :) Good Luck!
I voted for you! I am a friend of James Davis and also supported our Local Polio group this past fall. God Bless and good luck with the contest!
Cheryl Dickinson
Pacifica, CA
Iene I have voted for you, My uncle Bubba passed along to me, I know a little of polio from him having it most all his life. I pray you win the contest but more so that as you battle this that God will bring you much healing and strength as you face each new day. God Bless you
Kathy
This is a great Idea! Check mine out too and if you like it...return the vote! Mine is about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo.
I am a polio survivor also. Good story.
Education is the answer, so hope this gets through to the masses that we polio survivers are still here but still suffering, many in silence. Good luck, would love to see this.
I thank you for your taking the time to expose this condition to those that have no clue to what we who suffered from polio now must face every day.
Greg
Polio Survivor 1954
I had polio in '57. What many don't realize here in the States is that there are a lot of people in other countries who are polio survivors and are only in their teens and twenties now. PPS is going to be with us for generations AFTER the "epidemic generation" of the '40s and '50s is long dead.
Very interesting! I can't wait to see your photos - Wonderful idea & great dream! Best of luck and you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!
While polio still rages in several countries (www.polioeradication.org), Post Polio Syndrome is the legacy left to millions of polio survivors worldwide. Stand up and be counted to get the services needed for quality of life! View "Shades of Grey" @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShDdU1E0lNE
Living with Post Polio Syndrome is a humbling experience. I am sure once you start your project you will discover some amazing stories from such exceptional people. Regardless of the outcome of this competition I am confident that you have come a long way to make it to here.
I am a polio survivor also. Good story.
Good luck with your entry, and working towards maintaining independence in your future. I'm also a fellow polio survivor and fully support your efforts.
Jill
You go girl! As a Polio survivor I know the need to get this out there. We ARE STILL HERE! Thanks for your effort in this area. Southern Hillsbrough County PPS Group
I voted for the best - I voted for you!
Great ideas. I'm afraid as most with disabilities (or their after effects), much easier to ignore. Been trying for years to increase imagery of disabilities. See my web site www.ronparisi.com.
Lots of luck
Ron P
we must cure also polio survivors.
Thanks for spreading the word. I am a 1949 model and have all the classic symptoms. God bless and good luck.
I contracted polio in 1940 at age 8 Months. No one made any allowances for me because of my disabillity but I managed to do most things expected of me until PPS set in. I hope you are raising awareness for all of us survivors! Good luck!!!
Cool. I wonder how hard it will be to track down victims. Good luck, voting for you. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project on struggles in Zimbabwe.
Break down that enemy! Voted.
Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Irene, great idea. Hope you win! I have a family member who suffers with the effects post polio syndrome. More people need to be informed. Keep up the good work.
I voted don't know that I'll do you much good? I think this person who commented above gives you some room to witness to 'em. See: "jrhandel about furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Middle East"
It was great to see you at the Circuit Assembly getting feed :) Agape' Lori R.
Thanks for the insight. I was pretty much uninformed on this subject. Like many other conditions that we as imperfect humans have to live/deal with, this is just another that I hope to see eradicated SOON. Don't know if my vote will help, but I hope it does. Angel
God bless you. Good luck with all your challenges ahead. Remember to keep strong, and never give up. There is a reason God has you still in this world, and he has a plan for us all. Keep your head high, and keep pushing for these movements.
Jon Beard
(Abili-TV Watcher)
Dear Irene, I understand the desire of your dream. You know my Mom passed away from the effects of PPS and she too always desired to speak with others who were effected by this enemy. I wish you all the best and all my support. Hugs!
All the best in getting word out about Post-Polio. I am also a polio survivor.
You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!
Thanks.
-Adam
Best Wishes and good Luck on winning!!
good luck on winning.
Loved your idea hotwhelz, I've tried to promote it as best I can... All my best, Cindy.
A forgotten killer! I voted for you. May I suggest that you look at some of the dreams different people have posted here (mine is about children) and vote for the ones you like best. If you leave a comment, they can link back to your dream by clicking on your name and you might get a vote.