WHAT IS POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can affect people who have had polio in the past.
Polio is a viral infection that used to be common in the UK, but is now rare.
Most people who had Polio would have fought off the infection without even realising they were infected.
Some people with Polio would have had paralysis, muscle weakness and shrinking of the muscles. But usually, these problems would have either gone away over the following weeks or months, or remained the same for years afterwards.
Post Polio Syndrome is where some of these symptoms return or get worse many years or decades after the original polio infection.
SYMPTOMS OF POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms that develop gradually over time, including:
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persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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muscle weakness
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shrinking muscles
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muscle and joint pain
The condition can have a significant impact on everyday life, making it very difficult to get around and carry out certain tasks and activities. The symptoms tend to get gradually worse over many years, but this happens very slowly and treatment may help slow it down further.
Post Polio Syndrome is rarely life-threatening, although some people develop breathing and swallowing difficulties that can lead to serious problems, such as chest infections.
WHO'S AFFECTED
Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.
The condition has become more common in the UK in recent years, because of the high number of Polio cases that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, before routine vaccination was introduced. It's estimated that there are around 120,000 people living in the UK who survived Polio when they were younger. Some of these have, or will develop, Post Polio Syndrome.
It's not known exactly how many Polio survivors are or will be affected by Post Polio Syndrome. Estimates vary from as low as 15% to as high as 80%.
WHAT CAUSES POST-POLIO SYNDROME?
The exact cause of post Polio Syndrome is unclear. It's not known whether anything can be done to prevent it.
The leading theory is that it's the result of the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the spinal cord (motor neurones) that were damaged by the Polio virus. This would explain why the condition can take years to appear.
Post Polio Syndrome isn't contagious. The theory that the Polio virus may lie dormant in your body, causing Post Polio Syndrome when it becomes reactivated at a later stage, has been disproven.
It's not clear why only some people who've had polio develop Post Polio Syndrome. Those who had severe Polio when they were younger may be more likely to develop the condition.
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RICHARD FLINT COMPETITION
The Richard Flint awards were invented through a very generous legacy left to the Fellowship by Richard Flint. It was his hope that the money would be used to encourage survivors of Polio to embrace there artistic flare and allow it to flourish. Every year since we have run competitions in three categories for Polio survivors. This years entries were judged anonymously by a panel of three. The winners for 2020 are as follows...
Art
1st Place, Watercolour Flowers by Cherry Evans
2nd Place, Stained Glass Scenery by Betty Brown
3rd Place Polluted Beach by Alia Hassan
Photography
1st Place, Squirrel and Coconut by Violet Roe
2nd Place, Liverpool Bay by Paul Oulton
3rd Place, Robin Catching Worm by Robert Barlow
Poetry
1st Place, Dark Days in Guildford by David Mitchell
Algipan for rheumatism, to me they said,
spread it on thickly just before bed.
So tube after tube i went and bought,
but no miracles happened, life was very fraught.
Day after day the pain increased,
but I was running the hotel so work never ceased.
I limped along dragging my poor old legs,
with aching arms and stiff fingers like pegs.
"What's wrong David" friends asked of me?
Then wonderful sympathy and lots of tea.
In the gloomy corridors guest looked on in fear
at this shambling figure looming ever near.
Simple jobs like stock taking in the store
involved gymnastics, perspiration and lots on the floor
And then to the doctor, brief questions and barely a glance
no diagnosis - I missed my first chance.
The pain was appalling, every moment a nightmare
I just wanted rest and relief and some loving care.
My manager was ill and unable to cope,
So I carried on daily, kept going just by hope.every night.
Soon the paralysis started to grow,
my work rate went from frantic to extremely slow.
Olive and Peggy recognised my plight,
cutting up my food and mothering me
Regular customers noticed by limited uses,
I brushed them aside with jokes and excuses.
Stairs became a problem, the cellar a test,
three steps at a time then pause for a rest.
Every day brought more agony, growing distress,
more covering up and attempting to impress.
Then carried to a taxi, once more to the quack,
and this time an answer and no taxi back!
Panic, confusion and complete desolation,
then into the ambulance and off to isolation!
A huge sense of relief followed all over me,
was the end of my struggle coming to be?
An old fever hospital became my new home,
I just lay there rigid, aching muscle and bone.
The hotel was shut, all the staff had a test,
sugar lumps throughout Guildford
Whilst I had a rest.
Celebrities and stars vacated their suites
whilst others less famous were chucked on the streets.
I thought I was lucky just to be saved by the bell
but then an old iron lung - oh bloody hell!
At the age of 23 you should not have to ponder
about life and death and the future out yonder.
But months of care, love and top treatment
resulted in hope, mobility, peace and contentment.
Back then home to Lincoln hoping for some peace
But no chance, a physiotherapist who just wouldn't cease.
My job was held open so that I did not have to worry,
and eighteen months later I went back to Surrey.
Next door was Boots' chemist for potions and pills
but I decided against Algipan whatever my ills.
Years have gone by and I look back with praise
for the wonderful help during those desperate days.
When we chat at our meetings about our different lives
I marvel at the support of husbands and wives.
Some heart wrenching tales come from round the table,
and the human spirit is truly that word 'able'.
What things they have done, what jobs they have had,
memories so happy, so happy proud but never sad.
So many of our members are now dead and gone
but thank you God that the Fellowship still carries on.
2nd Place, Did You See My Carrots? by Brenda Phillips
Did you see my carrots?
Did you look down and sigh
As I planted cabbages too close
The beans collapsed
And I tried hard not to cry?
But did you see my carrots?
They really were the best,
I held them up to show you,
To prove that I do try.
Have you watched your roses bloom? Oh how they made you smile,
I've pruned and mulched and talked to them And missed you all the while.
Have you watched me mow the lawn, Attempt to cut the hedge?
I've cleaned the pond and fed the fish, Life goes on, but how I wish
I've redesigned the borders to enable me to stay
Because you're with me in our garden, Each and every day.
3rd Place, The Enemy Within by Betty Brown
We all have an enemy within our souls
Sometimes hidden, sometimes for all to behold,
Now what is mine where can I begin?
To let the world know what is hidden within.
Hidden deeply only known to me
Can I be brave enough to let it roam free?
The enemy for me is to prove I'm better than most
Before I go on, let me say I don't mean to boast.
It started when I was the youngest of five
Four brothers older I had to struggle to survive,
"Push off we don't need you following us
Go play with your dolls stop making a fuss."
I wanted to be the Indian Squaw
When brothers were the cowboys four.
One day they tied me to a tree
"Don't dare start crying they said to me"
As they ran off with their mates
Leaving me to my fate.
So at a very young age I said,
"I'll be as good as them or better instead,"
I was thrown into the pool by brother four
And managed to swim so he didn't score
I became a better swimmer than him
For i learned later that he couldn't swim,
All this thriving to be the best
Helped when I was older to beat the stress.
Of trying to beat this enemy within
Raising its ugly head don't let it win.
So when Polio visited and I was confined to a bed
The enemy within helped me a path to tread.
And here I am seventy years on
Still trying to prove I am as good as the next one.
And beat this enemy the enemy within.
We must never let the enemy win.