Sandra Rodrigues
| Clare Standing on her mountain in Peru |
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Members Stories 2
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One Member’s Story
by Sandra Rodrigues
Most victims of polio don’t know where or how they contracted the
disease — but I do. I received my virus courtesy of the American
medical profession. When my parents took me to the local hospital
....
Click link to Sandra Rodrigues story
Part 2
In my polio story published in the May-June Newsletter, I told you that I
was headed to Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru with my Spanish Class
from FCCJ. I returned in June after almost thirty days in Peru. The
wonder of this incredible country and my feeling for the people I met
and the things I saw would take up the entire newsletter. I'll spare you
all from a (Zzzzzzzzz) "slide show", but I would like to share ....
click link to Clare King's story
In my polio story published in the May-June Newsletter, I told you that I
was headed to Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru with my Spanish Class
from FCCJ. I returned in June after almost thirty days in Peru. The
wonder of this incredible country and my feeling for the people I met
and the things I saw would take up the entire newsletter. I'll spare you
all from a (Zzzzzzzzz) "slide show", but I would like to share ....
click link to Clare King's story
From Super Mom to Struggling Mom
(A Story of a Polio Survivor and a Post-Polio Victim)
By Sheila Kilgore
Unlike many stories about failing health issues, this one deals with an
issue very few people even know about or have even heard of. It is
post-polio syndrome. It is fairly new to the medical profession and
there are differing ideas on what causes it. There are times when I go
to see a new doctor it seems I know more about Post-Polio Syndrome
than they do. (I will now refer to Post-Polio syndrome as PPS). In fact in
the city that I live in, and it is a big city, there is only one doctor who is
listed as a PPS specialist .......
click link to shelia kilgores story
(A Story of a Polio Survivor and a Post-Polio Victim)
By Sheila Kilgore
Unlike many stories about failing health issues, this one deals with an
issue very few people even know about or have even heard of. It is
post-polio syndrome. It is fairly new to the medical profession and
there are differing ideas on what causes it. There are times when I go
to see a new doctor it seems I know more about Post-Polio Syndrome
than they do. (I will now refer to Post-Polio syndrome as PPS). In fact in
the city that I live in, and it is a big city, there is only one doctor who is
listed as a PPS specialist .......
click link to shelia kilgores story
I contracted both bulbar and spinal polio at the age of 3 ½.,
hospitalized in Moline Pubic Hospital, Moline, Illinois, in early 1954. I
wasn’t expected to live since my legs and arms were paralyzed and
my throat was closing. The people of our church got together in
homes that night for prayer, lifting me up before God asking for a
miracle – their prayers were answered as my throat re-opened that
same night.
My mother was taught.... Click on link for Jim Powell's story
hospitalized in Moline Pubic Hospital, Moline, Illinois, in early 1954. I
wasn’t expected to live since my legs and arms were paralyzed and
my throat was closing. The people of our church got together in
homes that night for prayer, lifting me up before God asking for a
miracle – their prayers were answered as my throat re-opened that
same night.
My mother was taught.... Click on link for Jim Powell's story
Jim Powell's Story! President of FCPPSG
Bill Hamilton's Story "Bringing Up The Rear"
I had Infantile Paralytic Polio when I was two years old. My
left arm was paralyzed and my central nervous system was
attacked and compromised by the polio virus. Born in 1955, I
did not receive the vaccination which was developed, that
year because the wide distribution of it began in 1957. The
very year I got polio!
The polio epidemics in this ....Click on Bill Hamilton's Story
Clare King's story part 1
AT age 2 ( 1952) here in
Jacksonville, I was unable to
reach the radio in our living
room to turn it on. My mother
made me show her why I
couldn't raise my right arm
above my shoulder high
enough to reach the nob. My
mother dressed ma for a trip
to Riverside to see my
pediatrician,......
AT age 2 ( 1952) here in
Jacksonville, I was unable to
reach the radio in our living
room to turn it on. My mother
made me show her why I
couldn't raise my right arm
above my shoulder high
enough to reach the nob. My
mother dressed ma for a trip
to Riverside to see my
pediatrician,......
My story by Chet Kirby
My name is Chet Kirby and I had polio by the time I was two in 1958. My left side has a small
leg with not much muscle. My hips are small.I got Post Polio Syndrome in 1987.....
My name is Chet Kirby and I had polio by the time I was two in 1958. My left side has a small
leg with not much muscle. My hips are small.I got Post Polio Syndrome in 1987.....
Local Hero
Who says the world doesn't love good news? When the
story of Jack Briggs' rescue of a drowning man hit the
media, the public ate it up.
Jack had been in Orlando for just a few days and was
staying at the Davis Park Motel when he noticed that a
man in the motel pool seemed to be in trouble. The man,
later identified as Stanley Jackson of Camden, New
Jersey, was lying on the floor of the pool, on his back
with his eyes wide open.
Briggs thought fast, called on his skills as a former
lifeguard, and rescued Jackson from the deep water.
What makes this story extra special is that Jack Briggs
contracted polio at the age of two and has been slightly
crippled ever since. He walks with a cane, but he didn't
let that stop him from "getting involved" and saving a life.
Jackson has since returned to his home in Mew Jersey,
in perfect health, thanks to Briggs.
Copied from article by John R. Bathen
This incredible man is now much older and enjoys living and working
with the people at Avent Christain Village.
Who says the world doesn't love good news? When the
story of Jack Briggs' rescue of a drowning man hit the
media, the public ate it up.
Jack had been in Orlando for just a few days and was
staying at the Davis Park Motel when he noticed that a
man in the motel pool seemed to be in trouble. The man,
later identified as Stanley Jackson of Camden, New
Jersey, was lying on the floor of the pool, on his back
with his eyes wide open.
Briggs thought fast, called on his skills as a former
lifeguard, and rescued Jackson from the deep water.
What makes this story extra special is that Jack Briggs
contracted polio at the age of two and has been slightly
crippled ever since. He walks with a cane, but he didn't
let that stop him from "getting involved" and saving a life.
Jackson has since returned to his home in Mew Jersey,
in perfect health, thanks to Briggs.
Copied from article by John R. Bathen
This incredible man is now much older and enjoys living and working
with the people at Avent Christain Village.
The time was May 1938. It was a time of streetcars, Al Capone, and Shirley Temple. I was five years old, had
curls being set with rags, and wanted to take dancing to be like Shirley.
My Mother worked for the telephone Co., and was a career woman before it was popular. Dad worked for
Western Electric Co.
We lived in Cicero, Illinois, where Western Electric was located. The Al Capone group moved over the
Chicago line during the same time.
Back to the story. I stayed with my grandmother in Chicago during the week, and on Saturdays we would ride
the street car to dancing. It was a fun time. I remember trying to do the splits and trying older girls pointers
on. Dreaming that one day I might be on toe shoes myself.
One night while at grandmothers. I ran a very high fever, about 103 degrees to 104. We thought I had flu
symptoms. I had pain in my right instep. Everyone thought that the pain might be from new shoes. Soon my
mother was called and she took me home with her. Things became worse. The doctor was called to our
home. When he came, all that I could do was raise my head. I remember him saying, “I’m afraid it’s Polio.”
My parents took me to the Cash Country Contagious ward. I was given a spinal tap which was terrifying. My
parents could not be there. My legs were put into plaster casts, and wrapped with gauze and they would itch.
Sometimes, I would beg a nurse to unwrap my legs and rub them. I could not visit with my parents for a
month, but I could see them from my second floor window under the street light.
At last, time to go home. At home I slept in a baby bed with a plywood board under it to keep my hack
straight. They put two full braces on my legs. It looked like I would never walk. My parents were devastated.
An older retired nurse friend of my moms, Mrs. Green, had a large house in the country, and offered to take
me there for a year.
One day, I decided to try to take some steps while nobody was around and got up from the wheelchair. I took
about four steps to a table. Later, I showed Mrs. Green. She nearly fainted. That was when therapy started
at Billings Memorial Chicago. After therapy, I was put into a special Education class and did well. The
academically director told my mother after about a year, that I would never be able to do anything. I thought
that that was a terrible attitude. I wanted out! They tried me without braces, and into a public school, third
grade. I even walked four blocks to school and back.
Life went on fairly normally except for dislocating a knee in eight grade trying to cheer lead, and again in high
school slipping on the marble floor that was waxed in the fall.
I found my path in the choir department, and did I love it. I did solo work, and formed a trio called “The Three
D’s”. We sang on Morris B. Sachs in Chicago, and won watches and we also sang at various clubs and did
work on the local radio station. Everyone was encouraging.
Next was college. Mother wanted me to go to Northwestern and commute home. Dad wanted me to be a
teacher. I wanted to sing!
I went to the University of Illinois because I had friends there. Majored in music (voice), but always had to
plan for walking distances.
That summer, I went for a job at Western Electric. They about laughed in my face when I told them that I was
a voice major. Dad won out, after serious consideration, It was music education.
There I was learning “Little Red Caboose”. I still sang on the local station in Campaign, Illinois and joined
opera workshop where I sang the part of Maddalena Rigoletto at the MENC in the Philadelphia Opera House,
I got to do the ContSalto solos in the Messiah with the Illinois Sympony.
Music Education internship was bad and good. Two days a week I was at a high school that was fabulous
and three days on the other side of the track so to speak in grade school (K-8) was not a good experience.
That fall I worked as a service rep for an oil Co. After a year, I could see it would go nowhere. Back to
teaching. I took a second grade in Elmhurst, Ill., and got engaged. I was married with three children later
living in Jacksonville, FL. I taught chorus Andrew Jackson High, where we earned superior ratings. I also
taught elementary school and became a counselor. I retired from Baldwin as a school counselor with thirty
one years service.
You say, ok, what about polio? After my divorce at age thirty-eight, fatigue started working on my body and I
also was tripping a lot. It has now progressed to where I wear a brace on my right leg, which is helpful to keep
from tripping. Stress bothers me tremendusity. No singing anymore. My throat becomes fatigued.
Talking in large crowds is fatiguing. I am afraid to use it too much for fear of having more trouble possibly
with swallowing.
I have had two successful knee replacements. Too much dancing I guess.
All in all, it has been a great life. I feel very lucky for what I have experienced. I now have a great husband
who is very helpful and understanding of Post Polio. Six children, eleven grands, and five great grands. The
supervisor back in Special Ed was wrong!
curls being set with rags, and wanted to take dancing to be like Shirley.
My Mother worked for the telephone Co., and was a career woman before it was popular. Dad worked for
Western Electric Co.
We lived in Cicero, Illinois, where Western Electric was located. The Al Capone group moved over the
Chicago line during the same time.
Back to the story. I stayed with my grandmother in Chicago during the week, and on Saturdays we would ride
the street car to dancing. It was a fun time. I remember trying to do the splits and trying older girls pointers
on. Dreaming that one day I might be on toe shoes myself.
One night while at grandmothers. I ran a very high fever, about 103 degrees to 104. We thought I had flu
symptoms. I had pain in my right instep. Everyone thought that the pain might be from new shoes. Soon my
mother was called and she took me home with her. Things became worse. The doctor was called to our
home. When he came, all that I could do was raise my head. I remember him saying, “I’m afraid it’s Polio.”
My parents took me to the Cash Country Contagious ward. I was given a spinal tap which was terrifying. My
parents could not be there. My legs were put into plaster casts, and wrapped with gauze and they would itch.
Sometimes, I would beg a nurse to unwrap my legs and rub them. I could not visit with my parents for a
month, but I could see them from my second floor window under the street light.
At last, time to go home. At home I slept in a baby bed with a plywood board under it to keep my hack
straight. They put two full braces on my legs. It looked like I would never walk. My parents were devastated.
An older retired nurse friend of my moms, Mrs. Green, had a large house in the country, and offered to take
me there for a year.
One day, I decided to try to take some steps while nobody was around and got up from the wheelchair. I took
about four steps to a table. Later, I showed Mrs. Green. She nearly fainted. That was when therapy started
at Billings Memorial Chicago. After therapy, I was put into a special Education class and did well. The
academically director told my mother after about a year, that I would never be able to do anything. I thought
that that was a terrible attitude. I wanted out! They tried me without braces, and into a public school, third
grade. I even walked four blocks to school and back.
Life went on fairly normally except for dislocating a knee in eight grade trying to cheer lead, and again in high
school slipping on the marble floor that was waxed in the fall.
I found my path in the choir department, and did I love it. I did solo work, and formed a trio called “The Three
D’s”. We sang on Morris B. Sachs in Chicago, and won watches and we also sang at various clubs and did
work on the local radio station. Everyone was encouraging.
Next was college. Mother wanted me to go to Northwestern and commute home. Dad wanted me to be a
teacher. I wanted to sing!
I went to the University of Illinois because I had friends there. Majored in music (voice), but always had to
plan for walking distances.
That summer, I went for a job at Western Electric. They about laughed in my face when I told them that I was
a voice major. Dad won out, after serious consideration, It was music education.
There I was learning “Little Red Caboose”. I still sang on the local station in Campaign, Illinois and joined
opera workshop where I sang the part of Maddalena Rigoletto at the MENC in the Philadelphia Opera House,
I got to do the ContSalto solos in the Messiah with the Illinois Sympony.
Music Education internship was bad and good. Two days a week I was at a high school that was fabulous
and three days on the other side of the track so to speak in grade school (K-8) was not a good experience.
That fall I worked as a service rep for an oil Co. After a year, I could see it would go nowhere. Back to
teaching. I took a second grade in Elmhurst, Ill., and got engaged. I was married with three children later
living in Jacksonville, FL. I taught chorus Andrew Jackson High, where we earned superior ratings. I also
taught elementary school and became a counselor. I retired from Baldwin as a school counselor with thirty
one years service.
You say, ok, what about polio? After my divorce at age thirty-eight, fatigue started working on my body and I
also was tripping a lot. It has now progressed to where I wear a brace on my right leg, which is helpful to keep
from tripping. Stress bothers me tremendusity. No singing anymore. My throat becomes fatigued.
Talking in large crowds is fatiguing. I am afraid to use it too much for fear of having more trouble possibly
with swallowing.
I have had two successful knee replacements. Too much dancing I guess.
All in all, it has been a great life. I feel very lucky for what I have experienced. I now have a great husband
who is very helpful and understanding of Post Polio. Six children, eleven grands, and five great grands. The
supervisor back in Special Ed was wrong!
My Polio
Story
by Doris
McCullough
Story
by Doris
McCullough
Hellen had polio in Tallahassee in 1958 or so,
when a whole bunch of folks got a bad dose of the
new vaccine. She completed high school in a neck
brace, but spent no time in an iron lung. The PPS
symptoms began about 1988.
She had had no disability in the time I've known her,
until early day fatigue, leg pain, etc. set in at that time.
Her knee replacement last August has not gone well.
She still is in bed nearly all the time. She has gained
a lot of weight and has many gastric problems in
addition to leg and back pain.
She had a active career raising three children, and in
education. She completed her doctorate in 1974 and
taught at every level from second grade through
graduate school. She spearheaded the organization
of the Florida Writing Project and was a national
teacher trainer with IBM's Write to Read program.
She moved from the University of Florida to Gwinnett
County, Georgia, where she was county Director of
Computer Education. From there, she went on to
Assistant Superintendent but had to ask for a
no-nighttime meeting job when our daughter was
diagnosed with brain cancer. She stepped down to
principalship of an elementary school in Conyers,
Georgia but had to take a disabiltity retirement in
1994.