When Springfield Lakes resident Eric Rushton started experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing, he chalked it up to part of the aging process.
Despite his doctor reaching the same conclusion, Mr Rushton decided to investigate further as his condition continued to worsen.
After a visit to a rehabilitation specialist, he discovered he was experiencing returning symptoms of polio, a disease he was diagnosed with when he was just two years old.
“I wasn’t aware polio was something you could mostly recover from only to have symptoms return decades later,” he said.
An estimated 25 to 40 percent of polio survivors will experience a return of symptoms decades after their original experience with the disease.
“Thanks to vaccination efforts, polio has become an after-thought for many Australians,” Mr Rushton said.
“However, there are many of us who still feel its impact.”
Mr Rushton has teamed up with Queensland disability advocacy group Spinal Life Australia to raise awareness of the late effects of polio among health professionals and the general community.
“Understanding my condition was an important first step,” he said.
“Most people who have been through polio may not be aware that it can affect them at a later age and impact their responses to pain medications, anaesthetic and chemotherapy treatments.
“One of my biggest recommendations for survivors is to share their polio history with their GP so they can be fully informed on treatment options and consider a referral to a rehabilitation specialist.”
To help raise awareness of the late effects of polio, Mr Rushton conducts free presentations to organisation like Rotary, Lions, Apex and Probus as well as nursing homes and doctor’s surgeries.
“Spinal Life Australia and myself are working to raise awareness and encourage polio survivors to discuss their symptoms and medical history with their health practitioners,” he said.
“We also work to connect polio survivors with their peers to share their stories and gain support and friendship.”
Eric said living through polio was a traumatic time for many people, thanks to the painful treatment methods and social isolation that came with a disease that was not fully understood until years later.
“If there was one message I want to convey to polio survivors it’s that the stigma around polio has gone and there are many people who understand your experience more than you know,” he said.
“Reaching out to others for support can make a big difference.”
For more information on the late effects of polio, visit www.spinal.com.au/postpolio.