November 2024 Newsletter
Inside this issue: We have shared an extensive article by Richard L. Bruno, PhD along with tributes from all over the world.
Survivor Jim Smith - completely paralyzed from the neck down, his parents took him to the hospital and were told "take him home - the hospital if full". Jim has a special perspective on life with the effects of this terrible disease.
The Vicious Case of the Viral Vaccine
“The Vicious Case of the Viral Vaccine” by Pedred Noyce and Roberta Baxter is a gripping medical thriller that delves into the captivating world of vaccine development and public health crisis.” A book review by Alexis
“In Search of Normal”
One August day I was outside in front of our home playing hopscotch with some of the other girls in the neighborhood, when I realized I did not feel well. A few days later, my right arm was paralyzed.
Thank you Dr. Salk –The Scientist Who Beat Polio and Healed the World
“My favorite part was how on one of the first pages it said ‘Adults kept away from bakeries and banks. Children kept away from pools and parks’ and then later in the book it said ‘Adults headed to bakeries and banks. Children headed to pools and parks’.
I liked this part very much because it showed how Jonas Salk made sure that people could go safely to where they wanted to go, and that meant that they did not have to live in fear anymore.
By Chloe
“Jonas Salk - How the Polio Vaccine Changed Public Health”
“Turning Points in History” was the theme for the 2024 National History Day Competition. We celebrate the work of Chloe and Daniela for their successful entry. “Jonas Salk: How the Polio Vaccine Changed Public Health”
Traveling with Abililty
Who knew that traveling between each other’s homes would bring two survivors together in such a meaningful way.
“One woman’s story of agony shows why childhood immunizations are so crucial” Ina Pinkney
“I was always the outsider,” she said. “I was always the kid that ate alone.” Other kids referred to her as the “crippled girl.” Leana S. Wen for the Washington Post
The Last of the Iron Lungs
All the nurses were saying, ‘Just a second, you’ll be breathing in just a second.’ ” Martha Lillard
“The ‘yellow submarine’ is my necessary, trusted, mechanical friend.” Mona Randolph
“If there’s so many people who’ve not been- children, especially - have not been vaccinated . . . I don’t even want to think about it.” Paul Alexander
The Autumn Ghost: How the Battle Against a Polio Epidemic Revolutionized Modern Medical Care
“The Autumn Ghost: How the Battle Against a Polio Epidemic Revolutionized Modern Medical Care by Hannah Wunsch is an enlightening and deeply impactful story of this critical moment in medical history. “
By Pamela Sergey
Medical Advances as a Result of Polio -”The Autumn Ghost”
"I hope this will help people remember what it was like BEFORE the vaccine. It was an eye-opener for me to see how much advocacy comes from polio survivors.“
By the PA Polio Network