Denial and Acceptance
by John Powell ~ contracted polio at age 7
I am a 76 year old Polio Survivor who is now struggling with the Late Effects of Polio. I spent up to two years in hospital during the years of WWII. At Camperdown Children’s Hospital I was in and out of iron lungs and always strapped in a frame. Later I was transferred by army jeep to a rehab centre at Collaroy Plateau. I vividly remember that trip across the Harbour Bridge as my travel buddy and I, strapped in our frames, began sliding out the back of the jeep!!
At Collaroy we were wheeled out into the sunshine and given hydrotherapy in the pool. It is thanks to Sister Kenny and her team of assistants who were able to return movement to my left arm.
Finally I made a good recovery and returned to school. I went on to lead an active life, playing Rugby for my school, Wagga Agricultural College, and during my time in National Service. I continued to do physical work and told nobody of my past history of Polio, putting it all behind me as we were told to do.
About 25 years ago I found I was becoming tired at the end of the day and by the end of the working week I was exhausted. I was forced to adjust my work schedule and finally retired a few months earlier than originally planned. Retirement meant I could pace myself and rest more; I was able to enjoy travelling.
In the last few years I have lost a lot of strength and endurance and have a lot more pain and difficulty swallowing. As I’m sure we have all found, most members of the medical profession have little knowledge of our problems adding further to our frustrations.
I was so pleased to be able to attend the Polio Australia Retreat in Adelaide recently. It was extremely well organised by Mary-ann Liethof and her volunteers, and gave me such a lift. I will certainly be attending further such retreats and would strongly recommend them to anyone suffering the Late Effects of Polio.
Since coming home we have made an all-out effort to find more help from the medical profession and have joined a Polio Support Group. We have to travel about an hour and a half to this group but feel at this stage it is worth the effort.
by John Powell ~ contracted polio at age 7
I too had polio when I was about seven and am now finding that I am finding that my back muscles are becoming weaker and swallowing has become a problem would welcome any tips etc