It Never Ends
by Barbara Owens ~ contracted polio at age 2
I contracted polio in 1937 when I was two years old in both my legs. In spite of this I have managed to have quite an active life. I played golf until aged 70 and bowls up to my present age of 77. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to play bowls and indeed walk, as I feel the muscles in my legs growing weaker and find that I can’t walk on uneven ground, or up hill and down dale. I was born in Manchester, England, and if I still lived there I would have no medical costs or have to pay for shoes and I believe I would get a disability car.
I don’t expect charity, but the cost of everything is going up and interest rates on our small savings are going down. Six years ago I discovered I could get some shoes made for $100 and the balance would be paid by the government. When I received the invoice the shoes actually cost $1,450. I certainly couldn’t afford to pay this amount for any more shoes. I wear mostly joggers around and even these cost me $200 to be modified. I was very concerned when I learned that the National Disability Scheme would cut off at the age of 65, as I am hoping to be alive a lot longer. I have to attend the podiatrist regularly, but find I can’t afford to go as often as I would like and suffer a great deal from a bunionette and corn in the same area on my left foot. This is the stronger foot and seems to do all the work. On the internet I discovered that bunionettes are caused when one leg is shorter than the other, as it is in my case.
I often worry how I will cope if my husband dies before me and I have to have care.
I have worked and paid taxes all my life and get quite frustrated when I hear of the government giving out grants for very strange things.
by Barbara Owens ~ contracted polio at age 2
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