Esther Smart ~ Polio 1955 ~ Canberra Campaign Hero
Esther is travelling from country NSW to add her voice to our “We’re Still Here!” Campaign in Canberra on Wednesday 29th October 2014.
What is a memorable childhood experience?
My most memorable experience of polio is difficult to describe as there are several. I contracted polio in Switzerland at the age of 5 and I remember not being able to walk, I remember the hospital, being very homesick as I was there for a long time and the treatment being swaddled in hot towels and made to walk in a hanging sling. But maybe the most impact was that I had to wear sensible shoes during my teenage years and could not wear nice shoes or sandals. It has left me with a shoe fetish that I enjoy. I loooove nice shoes.
How have the late effects of polio impacted on you?
The late effects of polio have considerably changed my life and made me very disabled. I am no longer able to work in my vocation and I can’t be as active as I would like to. I have to completely plan my daily activities to conserve my energy. I have to endure a lot of fatigue and pain.
Why are you going to Canberra?
I am going to Canberra to help raise awareness that whilst Polio itself isn’t a great issue for Australians in general anymore, it is for thousands who are experiencing the late effects of Polio. The heads of politicians and medical people need to come out of the sand and there needs to be acknowledgement of the suffering of thousands of people. Australia needs to join other countries such as the U.S., Canada and many European countries in providing adequate services for polio survivors.
Please send Esther a message of support for her Canberra campaign by making a comment below.
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