Polio Awareness Month 2017
Our theme for Polio Awareness Month 2017 was “Ageing With Dignity”. With the majority of polio survivors locked out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) due to the age 65 cut off, “Ageing With Dignity” can be complicated when trying to manage the debilitating Late Effects of Polio (LEoP). Unfortunately, many health professionals do not have the knowledge or awareness of the LEoP to appropriately treat and manage post-polio patients, contributing to the challenge of “Ageing With Dignity”.
Polio Survivor Stories
Polio Australia collected stories from polio survivors around the country. The aim was to determine their polio history, their experience with the LEoP and what ageing with dignity meant to them, and what would help them to age with dignity.
The social media campaign targeted the myths surrounding polio and the Late Effects of Polio. Every Monday in October, a new ‘myth’ was shared on our Facebook and Twitter pages. On the other days, a range of varying resources, links and stories to continue conveying the message “We’re Still Here!” will be shared
Media
“Do you have LEoP symptoms?” – Midland Express
“Disease beaten but effects live in” – Ocean Grove Voice
“Polio victims still struggle” – The Senior
“Polio Awareness Month: Helping survivors age with dignity” – Medical Media
“New help on offer for polio patients” – Hervey Bay Independent
Malcolm Turner Bridge
The Malcolm Turner Bridge in Canberra was glowing orange from 16th to 20th October, to highlight the 2017 Polio Awareness campaign. Orange is the post-polio ‘team’ colour.