Ina’s Story
An Interview with Survivor Ina Pinkney by ShotByShot.org and the CA Immunization Coalition
“I don’t want people to ever forget how vaccines continue to save generations across the globe from polio.”
Ina’s Story
“I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. In 1944 on Labor Day, I was just 18 months old, and my mom was pregnant with my little brother. I tried twice to stand up in my crib, but I couldn’t. Upon seeing I had a high fever, my father bundled me up and brought me to see our family doctor, Dr. Suna, who also lived in our building. He did a spinal tap and was able to confirm that I had polio. There had been a polio epidemic sweeping through New York City, but now it had come to Brooklyn.”
Staying Home
“I was taken to the hospital, but when dad surveyed the polio ward and saw the other children left alone in their beds with only once-a-week visits allowed by their families, my dad and Dr. Suna refused to leave me. So, we went back home, and I stayed under the care of Dr. Suna.
Image Source: ShotByShot.org
My mom also talked about how the neighbors shunned us fearing that I would cause their kids to get polio if they came near. So, it was lonely, especially in those early years when people really feared contagion. Even when the fear eased, I couldn’t keep up with other kids. I couldn’t run, skip, or jump due to the damage polio had inflicted. So, I usually just gathered up my coloring books and such and sat quietly near the adults and learned to become a committed listener.
The polio virus attacked my leg, causing it to lose neurons and muscle mass and giving me a distinct limp since I was walking on the ball of my foot. When I was three, my mother took me to see Maria Tallchief from the Ballet Russe in New York City hoping it would motivate me. My dad patiently did my PT exercise every day. When I complained that it hurt. He said, ‘Maria Tallchief wouldn’t stop.’ “
Sister Kenny Treatment
“Dad learned about the famed nurse Sister Kenny and her technique for treating polio with strips of a wool blanket taken from boiling water, rung out and applied to the affected limb(s). When he found out Sister Kenny was in New York, he called every hotel until he found her and then begged her to treat me. She wasn’t going to come because her protocol was to treat only in hospitals. But my dad was persistent. He called back and agreed to pick her up and bring her to our home. Sister Kenny wouldn’t budge from the car until she was personally escorted by my doctor. She wanted to be sure a physician was always present when she did her treatments. Once Sister Kenny entered, she saw me in a cast that had been put on in an attempt to correct my foot drop. She immediately cut off the cast and flung it across the room exclaiming, ‘The child has polio, not a broken leg!’ From there, she applied the wet, hot wool strips to my skinny leg.”
To Read the Full Story:
“It’s wonderful that kids today don’t have to worry about polio and measles because of vaccines. What’s not so wonderful is getting blasé about these diseases.” Ina Pinkney for ShotByShot
“We live in an era where we can prevent so many diseases that used to take children’s lives. I don’t want people to ever forget how vaccines continue to save generations across the globe from polio.” “Someday, we hope to eradicate it. Until then, we need vigilance in protecting our precious kids.” Ina Pinkney for ShotByShot
ShotByShot.org believes that “Stories put a face on vaccine-preventable diseases. Our collection of videos and written stories is an education and awareness resource for your patients, colleagues, students, clients, and community.”
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See also Ina’s Story in the Rotary Magazine, Ina Pinkney: Her Journey with Polio as a Child (Washington Post, Opinions, Dr. Learna Wen) and Ina’s documentary film, Breakfast at Ina’s