Stop, Look and See
Jim Smith
Born in Bristol, Pa, Jim was a toddler in 1945 when polio came his way. Only 2 ½ at the time, there were no hospital beds or iron lungs available in the Philadelphia area. Totally paralyzed from the neck down, his parents were told “the hospital is full - take him home” to be cared for. His mother did the very best she could, making sure he was isolated from his older brother. He has memories of warm baths and loving attention from his parents. His father and uncle made a special holder that they used to lower him into the tub. Jim recovered but like so many other polio survivors, the children in the neighborhood knew that “polio was in that house” and no one would play with the “cripple”. That didn’t stop the little boy with the walking limitation. Jim remembers “getting in trouble just like any other little boy”.
When he was 7, he moved to Penndel, Pa., helping out at his parent’s card and gift shop. He was teased at school and got used to being called “the cripple”. As a preteen, Jim’s life changed. His foot drop was significant. He was admitted into the Hospital at the University of PA, in Philadelphia, for the first of what would be three surgeries in a year. He spent months in a full body cast. Jim was influenced profoundly by that year of care. He has fond memories of his Dad fashioning a home made stretcher and using it to slide him into the back of the family station wagon, so he could go to the beach (what Philadelphia natives lovingly refer to as “the shore”). He was a lucky 13 year old, to have the kindness of a cheerful student nurse each day! At the end of all the surgeries, he only needed an ankle brace.
Jim’s love of all things mechanical began at a very young age, when he began working at McHugh Brothers Equipment Rental – sorting nuts & bolts, sweeping floors and cleaning equipment. He graduated from Neshaminy High School and went on to study Mechanical Drafting at the Trenton Technical Institute. His career as a draftsman included full time work at McHugh and other manufacturing plants in the area, designing reinforced concrete rods and high pressure steam valves.
In 1968, he met Mary. They were married in 1973 and have remained in the Langhorne/Newtown area. Jim actively served the community of Penndel for 35 years as a volunteer fireman. He became a Certified State Instructor, specializing in teaching Firefighting and Pump Operation. He retired after serving the fire company for 55 years.
While recovering from surgery in 1998, Jim & Mary realized the reality of PPS. He decided to “Stop, Look and See” in an honest way. He retired and they’ve never looked back. Although he is no longer able, one of his favorite retirement memories was striper fishing in Cape May, NJ with his friend Captain George. He happily left his wheelchair on the dock, used light tackle and went for the big ones. His largest was 38 pounds. A fish story? The evidence was caught on film !
A highlight of their life has been membership in the “Jim Smith Society”. With a name like Jim Smith, why not? They gather annually for their ‘Fun Fest’’. They had a ‘wild’ animal adventure, been to Florida and cruised the Caribbean together. Imagine a cruise ship loud speaker announcement asking for Jim Smith to come to the Concierge Desk – when there are 57 Jim Smith’s on board!
There’s no doubt, that the TSA will never be the same after 12 “Jim Smiths” went through their pre-flight check at the same time.
September, 2015 was a “Jim Smith Society” highlight for Mary and Jim. Their adventure in South Dakota resulted in their being able to actually get close to Mount Rushmore. They discovered that the viewing platform and the elevator that went to the top, are fully accessible. Their photo was the Post-Polio Health International’s “We’re Still Here” Show Me Accessibility” Photo Contest winner.
Jim hasn’t let his wheelchair get in his way. Always a man to be in service to others, Jim has been seen in a hospital gown (and a smile) while active helping as a Standardized Patient at the College of Nursing at Villanova University. He is an advocate for Post-Polio Support and pediatric vaccination. In 2014, he partnered with Carol Ferguson and two family members to start the PA Polio Survivors Network. He was the Chairperson of the “Casual Coffee Moments” Conference with Dr. Richard Bruno, in the fall of 2015.
As the Eastern PA coordinator, Jim has spent the last ten years heading up a support group unfortunately no longer active since COVID), exhibiting at Senior Health Fairs throughout his county, speaking at a local university, participating in Rotary events to eradicate polio and serving as an advisor to the organization (now known as Polio Survivors Serving Others).
Most Senior Health Fairs are hosted by our legislators. Jim loves engaging them in conversation about the reality of the disabilities that so many of their constituents are experiencing, as a result of the late effects of polio. Given that he never knows just who he will meet at these events, Jim was happy to reunite with former fire student and current firefighter PA Sen. Frank Farry.
Without question, Jim’s decision to “Stop, Look and See” was the right one – a lesson for us all.
