My oldest brother had polio as a baby. He was lucky enough to survive but his legs were partially paralyzed and he had to wear braces. At 65 he dies from post polio syndrome.
I can't believe some people want to go backwards. Maybe we should start having surgeries with no anesthetics too.
Oh my heart breaks for you & your brother. I had to wear an arm brace which was heavy as all get out but made a great weapon for kids who teased me. On a different platform where I shared this somebody went on and on about how nobody's taking away the polio vaccine. Oh yeah? Then why did RFKjr's buddy Aaron Siri file a lawsuit to demand the FDA revoke it?
I was a "Polio Pioneer" too, Linda, when I was about 8 back in rural Colorado. You have persevered mahvelously, dahling, in spite of the rocky trail you have tread.
Linda, this could have been written by my mother! I was born in 1951, my sister in 1954, and when the polio vaccines were announced, my sister and I were among the first in line! My mom didn’t want us to have to grow up like she did, her dad taking her to New York for treatments, shunned by her brother in law as a “cripple” so that we never met our cousins, unable to go for a walk or a bike. When my husband and I were married, we chose an outdoor setting where there were paths we could take her on as she sat on her “Mobi” seated cart, so she, too, could get out into our Oregon woods!I benefitted from her positive outlook, though, as I learned how inaccessible the world was for her. She noticed kids staring at her so she chatted with them, telling them why her leg was shorter, explaining about polio, a one-woman polio educator. The kids and their parents left our conversations smiling, glad to know about polio, sorry the vaccine hadn’t yet been invented in 1917 when she got polio. I was the older kid, so it was my job to go into the bank that had too many steps for her to use, to ask how she could get in to transact business. There was a hidden small elevator that usually had sacks of coins as the passengers, not a smiling feisty momma with two little girls!
So, thanks for your well-written tale of your experience growing up with polio. I’m just so sorry you couldn’t get the vaccine in time. I’m also very sad to hear your daughter-in-law won’t get your grandson vaccinated…
I'm guessing your mom is smiling down on us. I was rather "lucky" to only have one limb paralyzed, although I was frustrated that others looked at a paralyzed arm being better than a leg. I wasn't really considered disabled for many years. But you need two hands to do so many things and jobs. I just want to let folks know that polio is very preventable and must stay that way. I'm still working on my grandson's mom. ;-) Hugs, Linda
When I was a young mom I had a friend whose mom raised her and her 2 sisters from an iron lung. Many religious people came to tell her she simply “lacked faith.” SIGHHHHH But her goal was to be alive long enough to raise her girls, and she was. THAT was faith.
I can’t imagine the reality of growing up with a mom in an iron lung. Her story made a huge impression on me.
Wow, what a story. I can't imagine. I had asthma and breathing problems as a child but I WAS lucky enough to escape the iron lung. Thanks for reading. Faith does gets stronger n adversity. Hugs, Linda
Polio afflicted so many before vaccines were available & your grandson's mother is WRONG to endanger her child who might contract any number of diseases now preventable through intelligent administration of vaccines.
Yes, but she listens to people like RFK jr. Which is why I hold him partially responsible. The polio vaccine may end up not being revoked, but it won't be for lack of trying (see Aaron Siri's lawsuits, a close ally of RFKjr.)
Interesting how we are tempted to link cause and effect where there is none. We've traded the good of the many for the good of the one. Sad. Thanks for reading! ~Linda
I remember the fear that swept through communities. I, also, remember the relief the adults in my life felt the day my sister and I lined up to take our Salk vaccine.
Amen and amen. I am 8 years older than you, and I well remember the no swimming, no movies years. I completely agree with your concern about the current administration.
I'm in the same boat. Three of my grandsons are unvaccinated. My son in law's sister had a reaction to one of her shots at four months, had seizures and irreversible brain damage. Very sad but the fact remains that the vast majority of us don't have bad reactions and the diseases get controlled. In India we saw the results of no polio vaccines. Crazy scary times we live in and I, for one feel helpless and am losing sleep over our new government's policies.
Oh how tragic. Unlike the ones who say they were vaxxed and the very next day became autistic, there was real damage, so I get it. But the herd immunity is so important. I hope our family member change their minds, especially in this scary political climate. Hugs to you, Linda
We all have stuff to deal with, I guess. I'm just concerned that more will jump on the no-vax bandwagon. It could be truly tragic. Hugs to you, friend, Linda
Nextdoor Friend. Thank you for your story! My mom had polio when she was five. She was in an iron lung and had surgery to stretch out the ligaments in her right leg to help with walking. She grew up not knowing the difference because she didn't know.
As you know, the shame was significant enough that the family hid it. She was claustrophobic but couldn't remember why. She always had this weird feeling on the sole of her foot, and her leg hurt occasionally, but she had no idea why. At 41, she got sick, but no one could explain what was wrong.
She had different diagnoses and radical treatments, and things piled on her. Within a few years, dementia started rearing its ugly head. My dad repeatedly asked her family if they had any ideas on what could be wrong with her. They said nothing.
A year and a half before she died, they finally said she had had polio. Post-polio syndrome was one of the thoughts as she went through so much of this, but since they had no record of it, they did not try to treat it. She went through this for 14 years.
After the birth of my twin babies last year, my son's father started sending anti-vax videos and demanded I talk to my kids and have them see it. I refused first because it's their children and their choice, but also, vaccines save lives. My mom also had the mumps and measles as a baby. I don't want anyone to suffer needlessly.
The part that really got me was her claustrophobia. I too have that and I'm not sure if/when I was placed in the iron lung, but my polio was a "bulbar" type, meaning it mostly affected things above the pelvis. I had breathing troubles all through childhood, but nobody ever really linked until I was about 12 and then I had only 60% lung capacity. Thank you for telling me your story and believe me I won't stop writing. I type one-handed but I get it done. Bless you and thanks for reading! Linda
As a mother I can't imagine having gone through that with my child. And my heart goes out to you as you suffer from the disability from polio. I don't know that I can say that I'm an anti-vaccination supporter because I got all four of my children vaccinated. Would I do it today, no! And I'll tell you why. My youngest son got vaccinated on scheduled. Halfway through at least eight vaccines they realized they weren't refrigerated properly and basically had to start over. I can count so many mistakes that my family has gone through with the medical community in all the years of my life. I'm not sure that I trust or moreover have faith in the medical community. I know that my opinion isn't the popular one but one has to wonder about that aspect.
I understand your concerns. Human error is inevitable. But I'd still rather have to revaccinate than experience this cruel disease. Just my two cents. ~Linda
Keep writing & keep speaking out.
You are an important & vital voice.
We are in a crisis on nearly every level in our country (& in the world).
My prayers include you & your family everyday.
Nancy,
They always warn about "constitutional crisis," but here it is. I'm sad and mad and I can't shut up. Thank you for the prayers! Linda
My oldest brother had polio as a baby. He was lucky enough to survive but his legs were partially paralyzed and he had to wear braces. At 65 he dies from post polio syndrome.
I can't believe some people want to go backwards. Maybe we should start having surgeries with no anesthetics too.
Lena,
Oh my heart breaks for you & your brother. I had to wear an arm brace which was heavy as all get out but made a great weapon for kids who teased me. On a different platform where I shared this somebody went on and on about how nobody's taking away the polio vaccine. Oh yeah? Then why did RFKjr's buddy Aaron Siri file a lawsuit to demand the FDA revoke it?
Thank you for your support! Linda
I was a "Polio Pioneer" too, Linda, when I was about 8 back in rural Colorado. You have persevered mahvelously, dahling, in spite of the rocky trail you have tread.
Ed,
Whatcha gonna do if not simply persevere? I just can't fathom why anyone would want polio to resurface. Nuts, in my view. ~Linda
Linda, this could have been written by my mother! I was born in 1951, my sister in 1954, and when the polio vaccines were announced, my sister and I were among the first in line! My mom didn’t want us to have to grow up like she did, her dad taking her to New York for treatments, shunned by her brother in law as a “cripple” so that we never met our cousins, unable to go for a walk or a bike. When my husband and I were married, we chose an outdoor setting where there were paths we could take her on as she sat on her “Mobi” seated cart, so she, too, could get out into our Oregon woods!I benefitted from her positive outlook, though, as I learned how inaccessible the world was for her. She noticed kids staring at her so she chatted with them, telling them why her leg was shorter, explaining about polio, a one-woman polio educator. The kids and their parents left our conversations smiling, glad to know about polio, sorry the vaccine hadn’t yet been invented in 1917 when she got polio. I was the older kid, so it was my job to go into the bank that had too many steps for her to use, to ask how she could get in to transact business. There was a hidden small elevator that usually had sacks of coins as the passengers, not a smiling feisty momma with two little girls!
So, thanks for your well-written tale of your experience growing up with polio. I’m just so sorry you couldn’t get the vaccine in time. I’m also very sad to hear your daughter-in-law won’t get your grandson vaccinated…
Barbara,
I'm guessing your mom is smiling down on us. I was rather "lucky" to only have one limb paralyzed, although I was frustrated that others looked at a paralyzed arm being better than a leg. I wasn't really considered disabled for many years. But you need two hands to do so many things and jobs. I just want to let folks know that polio is very preventable and must stay that way. I'm still working on my grandson's mom. ;-) Hugs, Linda
When I was a young mom I had a friend whose mom raised her and her 2 sisters from an iron lung. Many religious people came to tell her she simply “lacked faith.” SIGHHHHH But her goal was to be alive long enough to raise her girls, and she was. THAT was faith.
I can’t imagine the reality of growing up with a mom in an iron lung. Her story made a huge impression on me.
Julie,
Wow, what a story. I can't imagine. I had asthma and breathing problems as a child but I WAS lucky enough to escape the iron lung. Thanks for reading. Faith does gets stronger n adversity. Hugs, Linda
—when we choose not to let us grow bitter.
Thank you for taking your arm out of its protective sleeve for us, for sharing the truth. I, too, wish more people would pay attention to reality.
Sherry, Oh it's good to hear from you again. reality keeps getting scarier with every passing hour. Hugs, Linda
I just stepped away from so much for a couple months, Linda, including the stack of blogs I read. I am starting to come up for air. 💜
Well I'm very glad you're coming up here! Welcome back! ~Linda
Keep writing & keep speaking out.
Your voice is vital.
Polio afflicted so many before vaccines were available & your grandson's mother is WRONG to endanger her child who might contract any number of diseases now preventable through intelligent administration of vaccines.
Yes, but she listens to people like RFK jr. Which is why I hold him partially responsible. The polio vaccine may end up not being revoked, but it won't be for lack of trying (see Aaron Siri's lawsuits, a close ally of RFKjr.)
Keep writing & keep speaking out.
You are an important & vital voice.
We are in a crisis on nearly every level in our country (& in the world).
My prayers include you & your family everyday.
Keep writing & keep speaking out.
You are an important & vital voice.
We are in a crisis on nearly every level in our country (& in the world).
My prayers include you & your family everyday.
I hope your personal experience and pleas move some parents to make the right choice.
George,
Interesting how we are tempted to link cause and effect where there is none. We've traded the good of the many for the good of the one. Sad. Thanks for reading! ~Linda
I remember the fear that swept through communities. I, also, remember the relief the adults in my life felt the day my sister and I lined up to take our Salk vaccine.
I actually got a polio injection in my paralyzed arm in 1st grade. It hurt! But I'm so glad it was available. Hugs Linda
Amen and amen. I am 8 years older than you, and I well remember the no swimming, no movies years. I completely agree with your concern about the current administration.
That adage: Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. You sure don't seem older than me! Hugs, Linda
I'm in the same boat. Three of my grandsons are unvaccinated. My son in law's sister had a reaction to one of her shots at four months, had seizures and irreversible brain damage. Very sad but the fact remains that the vast majority of us don't have bad reactions and the diseases get controlled. In India we saw the results of no polio vaccines. Crazy scary times we live in and I, for one feel helpless and am losing sleep over our new government's policies.
Oh how tragic. Unlike the ones who say they were vaxxed and the very next day became autistic, there was real damage, so I get it. But the herd immunity is so important. I hope our family member change their minds, especially in this scary political climate. Hugs to you, Linda
I’m with you! And I had no idea you dealt with polio, my friend. Prayers your daughter in law comes to her senses. 🙏🏼
We all have stuff to deal with, I guess. I'm just concerned that more will jump on the no-vax bandwagon. It could be truly tragic. Hugs to you, friend, Linda
Hi Linda,
Nextdoor Friend. Thank you for your story! My mom had polio when she was five. She was in an iron lung and had surgery to stretch out the ligaments in her right leg to help with walking. She grew up not knowing the difference because she didn't know.
As you know, the shame was significant enough that the family hid it. She was claustrophobic but couldn't remember why. She always had this weird feeling on the sole of her foot, and her leg hurt occasionally, but she had no idea why. At 41, she got sick, but no one could explain what was wrong.
She had different diagnoses and radical treatments, and things piled on her. Within a few years, dementia started rearing its ugly head. My dad repeatedly asked her family if they had any ideas on what could be wrong with her. They said nothing.
A year and a half before she died, they finally said she had had polio. Post-polio syndrome was one of the thoughts as she went through so much of this, but since they had no record of it, they did not try to treat it. She went through this for 14 years.
After the birth of my twin babies last year, my son's father started sending anti-vax videos and demanded I talk to my kids and have them see it. I refused first because it's their children and their choice, but also, vaccines save lives. My mom also had the mumps and measles as a baby. I don't want anyone to suffer needlessly.
Keep up the writing! You have great flow.
Angel,
The part that really got me was her claustrophobia. I too have that and I'm not sure if/when I was placed in the iron lung, but my polio was a "bulbar" type, meaning it mostly affected things above the pelvis. I had breathing troubles all through childhood, but nobody ever really linked until I was about 12 and then I had only 60% lung capacity. Thank you for telling me your story and believe me I won't stop writing. I type one-handed but I get it done. Bless you and thanks for reading! Linda
As a mother I can't imagine having gone through that with my child. And my heart goes out to you as you suffer from the disability from polio. I don't know that I can say that I'm an anti-vaccination supporter because I got all four of my children vaccinated. Would I do it today, no! And I'll tell you why. My youngest son got vaccinated on scheduled. Halfway through at least eight vaccines they realized they weren't refrigerated properly and basically had to start over. I can count so many mistakes that my family has gone through with the medical community in all the years of my life. I'm not sure that I trust or moreover have faith in the medical community. I know that my opinion isn't the popular one but one has to wonder about that aspect.
Carolyn,
I understand your concerns. Human error is inevitable. But I'd still rather have to revaccinate than experience this cruel disease. Just my two cents. ~Linda