Thank You, Rotary International!

By Vera Moore

Rotary International ranks highest on the list of organizations working to eradicate polio. Bill Gates, in his 2009 Annual Letter tells of attending a Rotary meeting and assisted in announcing more than $600 million in new money from various sources that will go toward eradicating polio.

The Gates Foundation is awarding a $255 million challenge grant to Rotary, which Rotary will match with $100 million raised by its members over the next three years.

Many people believe polio has already been eradicated, because it gets so little attention by the media, especially in rich countries. There is still a significant amount of polio in four countries, with most of the cases coming from India and Nigeria.

February 15, 2009, The Times of India carried the story of the first case of polio for the year. A 22-month-old girl from north Shahadra was reported to have the most dangerous strain that travels faster and infects more children. Bill Gates tells in his letter of meeting the girl named Hashmin, “It was tragic to see the muscles in her legs wasting away. Now she will never be able to walk normally. When you meet children like Hashmin, you are reminded why eliminating polio is so important.”

In 2008, India recorded 549 cases of polio, a reduction from 2007, when India recorded 874 cases of polio. The World Health Organization web site reports in 2008, only four countries in the world remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 in 1988. The remaining countries are Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

The Rotary International web site proclaims, “As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high. By donating now, you can help Rotary achieve a polio-free world.” See http://www.rotary.org/

MAPPSG & ROTARY CLUB

In Mobile, Rotary invited Mobile Area Post-Polio Support to send a speaker to the Mobile West Rotary Club luncheon and meeting. Sylvia Bern accepted the invitation and presented our story at the Herron Bay Golf and Country Club on March 10th.

We are indebted to Sylvia for her willingness to travel, share her time and to speak on our behalf. Thank you, Sylvia, for adding this to what you already have been doing as a polio survivor.

MOBILE AREA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP meets the 4th Saturday each month except November & December at 1 pm West Regional Branch Mobile Public Library	PENSACOLA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP meets the 3rd Saturday every month at 10 am Baptist Towers Lobby 1717 North E and Avery Streets, Pensacola, Florida
Notes from the MAPPSG Meetings January 2009 Meeting - Syliva Bern reporting It was good to see everyone since I missed the Christmas party. I brought some magazines and reviewed a couple of articles with the group. Members were encouraged to share ay recent news that would interest polio survivors. We learn from each other. Joann and George Fassig told us about their wedding anniversary cruise on the Holiday. They really enjoyed it and recommended cruising as a perfect get-away for people with disabilities. The Holiday provided entertainment, good food, good service and help if needed. Handicapped accessible cabins are available. Those passengers who have difficulty walking are placed near elevators. The cruise line does ask for an able bodied person to accompany a person who might need help. We discussed the possibility of Mobile and Pensacola support groups going on a trip together. Think about it! Ed Weller brought Mardi Gras beads which we all wore during the meeting. Tis the season! Attendance: Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ MaryEllen Blankenship ~ Laurence Byrd ~ George Fassig ~ JoAnn Fassig ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller February 2009 Meeting - Syliva Bern reporting Though few in number we had a good meeting. I downloaded Vera's skit and we had fun taking parts and reading through it aloud. Good job Vera! No one has volunteered to "act" yet, so don't know when we will perform for the public. We discussed guest speakers and various topics we would like to explore. We have invited quest speakers for March and April. Come to meeting. We need you! Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Barbara and Charles Gollott, Attendance: Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscol ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Larry Ready March 2009 Meeting - Syliva Bern reporting Julie Ford secured our guest speaker for March. Eric Dekle, a physical therapist who works for Mid South Home Health, brought us an interesting program about "balance". Since many of us walk with an uneven gait, the material presented was very valuable. Eric talked about canes and how to use them properly. The cost of a new one is covered every 5 years by Medicare or private insurance. He demonstrated a new aluminum cane which has a forearm support built into the handle. He reminded us that the handle of a cane/crutch should be at HIPBONE height. Higher or lower affects muscles and shoulder bone connection. Members were invited to examine or " try out" the cane. You may find additional info at http://strongarmmobility.com/ The group was given a Home Safety Checklist which provided a lively Q&A session. Falls are the number one reason for admittance to a nursing home. Our speaker pointed out several factors for people with disabilities to consider: l. Lower extremity muscle weakness. 2. Balance deficits 3. Taking 4 or more medications (some may cause dizziness) 4. Using assistive devices (proper use recommended). Eric also mentioned the government's plan to cut certain services, so we may be writing a letter to our senators. Will keep you posted. Thank you Eric! Come back to see us. Attendance: Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Mary Ellen Blankenship ~ Laurence Byrd ~ James Cheeseboro ~ Eric Dekle ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Carolyn Jones ~ Leland Jones ~ Bennie Steele ~ Eloise Steele ~ Ed Weller ~ Charlotte Wenzel	Notes from the PPPSG Meetings January 2009 Meeting - Clara Norsworthy reporting We had eight to brave the cold weather for our January meeting. We had coffee to warm us while we spent time catching up after the holidays. Leigh and George had been on a cruise and a grandson was born while they were away. The baby had some difficulties and has been in and out of the hospital. Cliff gave excellent advice and answered questions concerning caring for our plants and trees during the cold weather. Those who were absent were missed but we understand that out of necessity our people attend as they are able. Do come when you can but know we always want you with us. Attendance: Bill Bridenbrack ~ Tommie Bridenbrack ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Cliff Martin ~ Kay Martin ~ George Norsworthy ~ Clara Norsworthy February 2009 Meeting - Leigh Dethlefs reporting Eleven were present at the November 15th meeting. We again welcomed a new person, Michael Hammond. Michael is a wealth of information and shares with us new and innovative methods of enabling a healthy outlook as we continue to survive polio daily. We shared very best complete recovery wishes to Mary Warneck and Pat De Lorme. Attendance: Carol Cofer ~ Cheryl Cooper ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Mike Hammond ~ Theresa Inge ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ JoAnn McCoy ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ Mary Warneck March 2009 Meeting - Leigh Dethlefs reporting We had less people and it was decided our format will remain supportive in every way. It was requested that if you have speakers you would like to come to our meetings please get with Clara Norsworthy. She just needs a heads up in order to coordinate the meeting. Please contribute. We are all interested in new ideas and information that could help our life. Going to camp ASCCA this year came up. It would be great if we could attend this year but it all depends on how many people we can find to go. They have to have a certain number from our group to go. Clara Norsworthy gave a list to Mobile Easter Seals of people that might be interest and they were to receive the paper work in the mail to be sent back as soon as possible. Please consider going, it will be one of the best times of your life. The suggestion came up as a theme for our May meeting. What makes you happy, hobbies, recreation? Please think on this and plan to contribute to this meeting. It could make a big difference in someone's life. Please bring the things that help you cope and give you pleasure. Plan to come to the April meeting and we will talk on it further. Attendance: George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Cindy Ice ~ JoAnne McCoy ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Gail Page ~ Mary Warneck "We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded but never stop reaching heavenward." ~ Everett Mamor
Contact for additional information e-mail Vera Moore	Contact for additional information e-mail Leigh Dethlefs

These Post-Polio Supports Groups are supported by
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast
In Mobile - Chara Brown ~ 251-471-1581 ~ chara@gesgc.org
In Pensacola - Liz Cravatt ~ 850-434-0032 ~ liz@gesgc.org
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