Last post Tue, Aug 19 2008 12:32 AM by darylynn. 38 replies.
hi my name is billy I had polio in 1953 I was three months old.polio afected my right arm and left leg allso my spine. I was at the Shriners hosp.off an on during the sixty's seven years total. I used a long leg weight bearing brace untill the age of forty. I now have post polio syndrome and I now use a wheelchair. I work everyday I teach outdoor cooking at the state park in Estero Florida. If you to had polio or would like to learn more about me send me a message .
Hi billy,
i took a special interest in post-polio syndrome during my residency after I watched how it affected my aunt. i plan on writing an core knowledge section on post-polio soon. Thanks for your post!
Hi, Billy. I was born in '53 and got polio in '58. Like you, I spent lots of time at Shriners Hospital. I recovered enough strength to walk with long leg braces on both legs and crutches. I gave up walking sometime around 1995 due to advanced arthritis in both shoulders and hips, fingers, etc. I used a manual chair since then, now the PPS is taking that option away.
My name is Mr Perry Barr I had polio in 1948 and I was also about three months that was what I was told. It afected my left leg, had four operation it came out great So at this time post polio havd not set in yet, think God for that. For the age of 59 all is well at this time.
Came to California from Tennessee this is where I learn how to deal with my disability. At this time I own a business, Call Mr. Barr Wheehchair Cleaning Service and K&Z Wheelchair Carrying Service and Road Service. In the City of Long Beach Ca. If you live in LosAngele Country or Orange Country, send me a message. And have great 2008.
Dr. House, that would be fantastic to have a core knowledge section on post-polio.
I had polio when I was 18 months old, was greatly rehabbed so I walked with only a left leg brace for most of my life. My accidental fall in 2002 caused L-1 and L-2 fractures in my back and by the time I was more ambulatory again, I was having a very rough time walking more than half a block without severely tiring. So I began using a power wheelchair for outdoors, but my doc wanted me to not use it indoors so that I got at least some exercise to avoid atrophy. He said, "Use it or lose it." Along with aging and Post-Polio Syndrome/PPS I now have osteoarthritis. I can't handle too much damp and cold weather and my left leg gets ice cold when the temperature really dips. That really suxx, cuz then I'm stuck indoors most of the winter months. lol
Has there been any discovery yet of what it is that causes Post Polio Syndrome? Is it a re-emergence of a dormant polio virus like some folks have said?
Thanks so much in advance,
Justin
I have polio as well. I got mine in 1983 from my oral vaccination. Originally it affected the entire right side of my body. Luckily, it is only my right leg that is paralyzed, although I do have weakness in my right arm, etc. I am always eager to talk with other people that have polio also.
Hi Billy my name is Lanell and I too had polio and now going through post polio after an accident with a fork lift where I worked.The polio affected my right leg but I would build up my shoe and no one could tell that I had polio .Oh I would trip every now and then but I learned if I never stopped working that my pain in my body would not affect me as bad so I worked double shifts.After being hit by the fork lift I realized the more I tried to build my muscles up the weeker I got ----For me to have to stop meant a lot of pain --I lost my husband after 23 years ----he said he would not push me around in a chair and I couldnt finish my classes nor get a decent job ---so he left.He tried to deal with it for about three years ----I dont hurt as much now and I try not to complain----that does no good ----I just have to be careful not to over do it .Its hard to know when to stop---there is no warnings except when you fall----I am not in a chair yet and hope Ill never be in one -----take care my friend Lanell
Hi There.
we got something in common, We both had polio when we aere young. I had it when i was 3 days old. and it affected most of my body and I lived in an Iron Lung till I was 3.
I am now 58, married for 36 yrs , got a adopted son , a son from my wife 1st marriage and I would'nt treat him any other way that I treat other people.
At first , he was 8 when I adopted him, he had questions and was worried that he could catch what I had. I sat him down and explain the Polio vacince and that he couldn't catch what I had.
The next day I was called in the schools office for him getting into a fight. The fight was he was sticking up for me. NOW...HOW do you punish hi for that. I had a long talk wit him and after 3 days of supenion at home, he went back to school and had a long talk with the kids about his "DAD". Ever eince I adopted him, he insists that he calls me dad.
It sucks having poil , but it does have some good points to it.He was afraid of the wheelchair and now he know how to use it better than me..LOL..
He god fishing togther and he know that I need to rest every few hours, thats the part part, but he he so pround that he finally got a guy he can call dad and he doen't want to have anything t do with his natural father. He never help him growing up. So, I even gave him mylast name and he is proud of that.
So hang in there, things does take time, but you willl love the idea of haveing a son, I DON'T call him my step son, he is my son. PERIOD. And know he has a 2 yr old daughter and she loves to call me PaPa and try to push me around. She is not afraid of the chair either.
Ifyou need to chat, just write to me and I willrespond as soon as I ca,.
write me at itsetc@comcast.net
John A. Patrick
Atlanta,Ga.
John,
I loved reading your story. I got the polio virus at age 4, 50 years ago this March. I've been married for 30 years to the only person in this world who can put up with me without complaining. We have two children, both married and one grandchild, 18 mos old. Our oldest is a stepson, but like you, I call him my son. I was in an iron lung for a while but I don't know how long. I was able to walk with braces and crutches for about 35 years until the pain just got too much. I have to use a power chair now because the manual chair gets too difficult to use.
Your story about your son made me think about my daughter and what a joy she has been to me. From the time she was old enough to walk, she liked to use my crutches. Her arms wouldn't come up to the top so she used the hand grips under her armpits. She called them her stilts. I walked very slowly so often she would run circles around me. This let her walk at her speed and me at mine. I know it looked strange, but I didn't care.
She was about 4 or 5 when I got my manual chair. It was a very light aluminum model I used to play softball and basketball in. She liked to ride in it, so many times she talked me into sitting on the porch steps while she rode it up and down the street in front of our house (we lived on a dead end street with almost no traffic). She liked it better than her bicycle and wanted me to buy her one to play with.
One day,she was playing in the street and a car came into view. She had her back to it and did not see it coming. I shouted out to her and she looked back and saw the car, about 300 or so feet behind her moving very slowly. We didn't know it at the time, but it was some new neighbors who were moving in next door and they had never seen her before. Well, my daughter started to turn the wheelchair toward the side, but couldn't push fast enough to suit her and she panicked and jumped up, grabbed the wheelchair, put it upside down over head and ran off to the side of the road as fast as she could run. You should have seen the look on those people's faces as they drove past our house. I laughed as hard as I have ever laughed, thinking about those people who must have thought they had just witnessed a miracle. That has been over 15 years ago and I still laugh just thinking about it.
Sometimes I get to thinking how I would like to have experienced life without this disability, but it is little things like this that remind me that I wouldn't change a single minute of it if I had to give up my family or my disabled friends. I'm old enough now to know that a man can't make it in this life without other people, no matter whether you are disabled or not. My purpose in life is not to seek comfort, but to seek to bring comfort to others. I don't like the pain, but if that is what it takes for me to understand the pain of others, then so be it.
Thanks for sharing your son with us. It has made my day a little brighter.
Al
Hi Al,
When I got your letter and when I was reading, all I could think of , that little girl got ran over by that car. I was laughed when you told me what happened and she sounds like my son when he was younger and now my grand daughter is doing the same thing. She is used to my chair, but for some reason, she willl push me into a wall and laugh at it, but for the life of me, I can't get her to sit in it/ When I tried to put her into it, she cried and kicked at me.
I am just going to let be , go as it goes. BUT, she is my love of my life. Just like my son, he does make me made at him, just like any other child, but I have to stop calling him a child cause he is 34 now. He is married and his wife is an RN and when they come here, i have to hide my medicine for she got caught at work stealing drugs and needles. I had to get a safe with it and only me and my wife know what the combo is. After a while, I will learn to trust her, but for now. There is a dark shadow behind her. But she swears she would never take my meds.
I take 17 diffrent meds a day and the strongest is 50mg of morphine 3 times a day and 8mg od dilaidid when the shot wears off. Those are the reason I had to get a safe to hide them in. She got a new job at the hospital, but she has to take a drug test every week t make sure she stays clean. Thank God. they have al been clean.
About my wife, we have been married 34 years and she is the only female that would put up with the stuff she has to go thru.
I have a cather bad, colostme bag, and she doesn't complain when they need to be repalce or cleaned. My nuring sevice, the nursing aid quit back at Christmas and now Wanza has another thing she has to do. She gives me a bath 3 times a week, I think she gets more water on her than me.
About 2 years ago, she had a pity party and said " I didn't sign on for all this" and walked off. I was afraid I lost her and started to look for a nuring asstance home. When she saw I was serious, she broke down and told me it was just a little pty party and she was sorry. That nite I got a whole bath, toe nails clips and she even cut my hair. I usually wouldn't have let her do it, but I couldn't complin. I love her so much. If something would happen to her I would be lost.
I want to hold on to her as long as possible.
If you want to see what I look like, Peyton and my son, click on my pictures. They arent the best , but I am going to get some more.
Thanks for writing and hopes to talk to you soon.
itsetc@comcast.net write me when you want.
BTW, I love the story of the girl. I bet you still laugh about that everytime you think of it..
yes i have polio sinse1971 i was 3and harf year old ive got two kids ive got left arm and right leg desable im forthy yaer old and i dont know mush obout polio becauseim starting filing tired all time and pain all over my body and my right shoulder became very week because i us it allot do you fill the same
Hi Billy,
I got polio when I was 1yr 3months, my left leg and righ arm were affected not PPS yet but I've been loosing strenght on my leg so I use a plastic brace and a can more often.
Glad you are here!!
Take care and keep in touch..!!!
Claudia
Hi, I'm Dana I am 23 I got polio when I was a baby. My right leg is effected, it is small and very weak so I wear a brace. I am married and have 2 girls, 3 and 1 year old.
Hi,
I am looking for Braces/Calipers for my wife who has post residual paralyis in both legs due to Polio. I am in Atlanta for about 2 weeks post which I am returning to India.
Can you please guide me as to where I could find the in the US.
Thanks,
Vijay
Ph#678 564 7510
