Not Just Polio eBook

By Richard Daggett

Taking a Detour

We got home from Rock Creek in time to sign up for my second session of swimming lessons at Downey High School. At least that was the plan. Of course, things don’t always work out as planned. The first indication I had that something was wrong was waking Friday morning, July 17, 1953, with a stiff neck and back. It was not only stiff, but it really hurt too. Putting my clothes on was very, very uncomfortable.

I had a couple of severe headaches the day before, but they both went away afte an hour or so. I don’t remember ever having a headache as a child and, in any case, I wasn’t going to let these headaches spoil my summer fun. I ran down the street and, with every stride, my brain felt like it wanted to leave my skull. It hurt, but I wasn’t concerned. I’d occasionally hear friends and family members complain of headaches, and they always seemed to feel better later.

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