Madam, – Anthony Glavin's Irishman's Diaryof March 3rd, reminiscing about his time in Maine, was evocatively illustrated by Andrew Wyeth's 1948 painting Christina's World. However, I doubt whether he knew that the article also illustrates the plight of many polio survivors still alive. Christina Olson, the model for the picture, had polio and was unable to walk.
There are more than 6,500 survivors of paralytic polio in Ireland today. Over 60 per cent of these will, after having overcome their initial illness and subsequent disability, go on to develop post-polio syndrome. This manifests itself in increased weakness, pain, susceptibility to cold, difficulties with swallowing and other associated complaints. There is no known cure. The problems can only be managed, then with great care and attention to the person’s overall wellbeing.
For many years the survivors of paralytic polio fought to gain recognition of the problems encountered as we grow older. In 1993 the Post Polio Support Group was established by a few dedicated people, themselves survivors, to help others. It now has over 750 active members. The work of the group continues with increasing urgency and although we receive valuable support from the HSE we still rely heavily on fund-raising.
As a director and trustee of the group, as well as the editor of its magazine The Survivor, I would urge all who are experiencing the after-effects of polio to contact us to discuss the help and support we may be able to offer to make life a little easier. – Yours, etc,