Polio gone, but its impact on Albany Creek resident continues

Albany Creek’s Dr Margaret Peel will later this month attend an international conference on polio survivors in Warm Springs, Georgia – the place where former US President Franklin D Roosevelt, who famously had polio throughout his presidential term, spent a lot of time rehabilitating and passed away in 1945.

The Post Polio Health 10th International Conference: Living with polio in the 21st century, will draw approximately 400 people from around the world.

Delegates will include those such as Dr Peel who has Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), people experiencing the late effects of polio and medical practitioners from a range of health fields.

Diagnosed with polio as a child when the epidemic struck in 1951, Dr Peel spent many years working as a microbiologist and travelling extensively with manageable side effects from her childhood affliction until 10 years ago, when she was diagnosed with PPS.

“The side effects are different for everyone but can include progressive loss of muscle strength, joint and muscle pain, unaccustomed fatigue, cramping and in some instances, trouble swallowing and breathing,” Dr Peel said.

Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, difficulty sleeping and a decline in the ability to perform basic daily activities are other symptoms of PPS.

Dr Peel said she would be travelling with several other Australians to the conference and hoped to hear about the latest research being carried out and useful advice on relieving PPS symptoms.

As the secretary of the Brisbane Post Polio Support Group, Dr Peel will then share her conference findings with other members of the group.

While PPS is still quite unknown in the general community, well-known people who had polio as children include Kim Beazley, John Laws, Janet Powell and the late Kerry Packer and Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

In 1921, Franklin D Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio at the age of 39 but that did not prevent him from going on to become President of the United States.

He worked tirelessly to fundraise for a polio vaccine and raised more than $25 million for the cause during his time in office.

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said the not-for-profit organisation had six Post Polio Support Groups (PPSG) located throughout Queensland.

“Members share their experiences and provide support to each other as they deal with the late effects of polio,” Mr Henley said.

“Because the condition is still quite new as the people who had polio in the 1950s begin to age, it can be a daunting time for our members.

“Having other people to talk to who are experiencing the same symptoms is reassuring and decreases feelings of isolation and helplessness.

“It’s important to remember that polio may be gone from Australia, but its impact on lives continues.”

For more information on the Association’s PPSG, please phone (07) 3391 2044 or visit www.spinal.com.au.

Issued 14 April 2009.