A leading organisation supporting polio survivors across Europe has announced that 82-year-old David Mitchell, from Lincoln is re-elected as its President.
Polio survivor, David Mitchell was re-elected President of the European Polio Union (EPU) at its recent Annual General Meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
With years of management experience, having had a very successful career in hotel management and running his own shop in West Parade for 36 years, David will take on the role as President of the EPU for another three years.
The polio virus struck David while working in Guildford, aged 22 years. He continued to work until he was forced to stop by his fever, extreme pain and gradual paralysis down his right side. When he eventually saw a doctor, he was quickly hospitalised and received treatment in an iron lung because of difficulties breathing.
Overall, David spent 18 months recovering from the effects of the polio virus and he underwent intense sessions of physiotherapy. Slowly he regained his strength and was eventually fit enough to return home to Lincoln.
Today, he still struggles to walk and like most polio survivors, David lives with post-polio syndrome (PPS). PPS affects the nerves and muscles and can strike years after having had the original polio virus. It can cause further or new muscle weakness, pain in muscles and joints, extreme exhaustion, swallowing and sleeping problems.
The European Polio Union supports people who have had polio and are now coping with its late effects, including PPS. It is made up of 21 different polio groups from 18 European countries.
“It is a tremendous privilege to have been chosen to continue as President at the EPU” commented David.
“I’m really excited to carry on working in partnership with the many fabulous people and organisations who share a passion for addressing and responding to the significant challenges faced by polio survivors across Europe.”
Kripen Dhrona, Chief Executive of the British Polio Fellowship and a member of the EPU said: “David’s wealth of experience as a leader and his talent at driving things forward means he is an exceptional choice.
“As well as an outstanding career, David has a warm and engaging personality. I’m looking forward to congratulating him on his re-election.”
David continued “Our next aim for the EPU is to recruit more members from Eastern European countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania. We want to help them cope with post-polio syndrome and receive proper care for a disease which has left a dreadful legacy.”
David has a long history of supporting organisations and charities. Last year, he was presented with a special award by Lincoln College, where he used to be a lecturer, in recognition of services to the college and the wider community. This included War Widows Association (for 46 years), Federation of Small Businesses (over 30 years), Lincolnshire Police (36 years) and the County Council’s Education Committee. David is also a former national chair for the British Polio Fellowship and an active member of its Lincoln branch.
If you are a polio survivor living in the UK and you need support or guidance, contact the British Polio Fellowship on 0800 043 1935
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