POST-POLIO SUPPORT
on the
Alabama-Florida-Mississippi Gulf Coast

     Sylvia Bern opened the March 24, 2007 meeting by calling on Vera Moore to tell a bit about the items displayed. The photographs, Vera explained, were shared with us by Kaye McKay via email of art work created from the damaged trees on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The second set of photographs were of The Military Ball Victoria Glass had mentioned to us. Victoria had emailed the photos of she and her sister at the ball to be shared with the group. The addtional items, free for the taking, were the copies of the DVD Victoria produced and shared with us of her History Fair 2007, “Triumph and Tragedy: The Battle Against Polio.” An additional item, a book, "Sister Kenny: The woman who challenged the doctors" by Victor Cohn was found among books being discarded by a library (not Mobile) and purchased for us. Patsy Adams will read the book first and then it will be available for others to borrow. The book contains a section of photographs.

     Sylvia urged us to watch the Antique Road Show filmed in Mobile to be shown in upcoming weeks on Alabama Public Television. She also urged us to subscribe to the Polio Connection of America newletter. (Note: that organization is featured in our "Getting to know other Post-Polio Support Groups") Syliva lifted several items of interest from the publication.

     We were cautioned to save all insurance and Medicare paper work and to compare the charges and payments. As difficult as it is for us to understand the terminology, we should make every effort to be certain we are receiving the medical care which is being charged to the insurance companies and Medicare.

     Larry Ready reported he is still pursuing parking at Universary of South Alabama. He had received encouragement from the Governor's Office on Disabilities. It was suggested that a letter from our group be sent to USA urging compliance with ADA. We were eager for Larry to see if our letter sent to Providence Hospital in reference to the Festival of Flowers last years produced any good parking at the 2007 Festival. Larry plans to attend the Festival on Sunday and will let us know the results.

     Julie Ford shared an article from US News and World Report, March 12, 2007 which tells the efforts to eradicate polio is being hindered by fears that the oral vaccine is part of an American conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children. Pakistan recorded 40 cases of polio last year, ranking No. 3 in the world behind Nigeria (1,116) and India (672).

A discussion of plans for Camp ASCCA concluded the meeting.

     It was really great celebrating our 7th Anniversary with nine members present on a chilly windy day for our March 17, 2007 meeting.  Jane Clark and Theresa Inge provided coffee and cookies for the celebration.

     Jim Haguga and Pat Kaderly are in our prayers and we wish them speedy recoveries. Mary Warneck and Jane Clark had been to see Dr. Peach. and shared with us the results of that trip and what he recommended to enable them to take better care of themselves.

     We are so proud of Victoria Glass winning 3rd place in the Senior Individual Documentary at the District History Fair. It was a delight for some of us to be present to see her receive the award and to experience first hand the exellent projects she faced in this district competition. We are so very impressed with this young person who put so much time and talent into her project on Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome. Congratulations, Victoria!

The danger of ignoring polio has been recognized by the U.S. Senate, House of representatives and many states, all having proclaimed 2007 the "Year of Polio Awareness," education about vaccination and Post-Polio Sequelae, the disabling fatigue, muscle weakness, and pain occurring in middle-aged polio survivors.

An avian flu epidemic is a clear, but not yet present, danger. The U.S. cases make a polio epidemic both a clear and present danger. What happens if a polio-infected individual lands in a densely populated city like New York, where 23,000 toddlers are Unvaccinated? Every child must be given four doses of the injectable, inactivated polio vaccine. America's next polio epidemic may be just a plane ride away.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Richard L. Bruno,
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Phone: (201) 894-3724 Toll Free: 1-877-POST-POLIO
POSTPOLIOINFO@AOL.COM