I contracted polio in 1947, aged 2 ½ years. I lived with my family of 6 in the village of Lorton in the Lake District of England. Apparently, the symptoms presented themselves one Sunday afternoon when we were out walking, and I suddenly fell to the ground without any warning. Attempts to get me to stand failed and after advice from our doctor, I was initially admitted to the hospital in Carlisle and after a few days was subsequently transferred to the infectious diseases’ hospital near Lake Windermere.
The location of the hospital was the most peaceful and encouraging environment for treatment and recuperation possible, with the vast lake clearly visible across the natural countryside. I had the opportunity to revisit the site only last year, being able to walk through the actual room in which I had been housed. (the whole complex is now a retirement village)
I was fortunate to receive the treatment promoted by Australia’s Sister Kenny, who strongly advocated the use of ‘hydrotherapy’ by placing us in shallow salt baths and encouraging us to kick and splash vigorously – something which 2-3-year olds were more than happy to do. Her treatment was in contrast to the accepted practice of the time, which was to put the affected limbs in irons, so the fact that I was able to pursue the more active life I later enjoyed was directly attributable to Sister Kenny’s treatment regime.
I was a patient there for several months during which time no contact was allowed with my family, though I believe my parents were able to come and ‘see’ me from a distance – without my knowledge. My parents relied totally on public transport, and in 1947 that was rather sparse, especially in rural Cumbria, so I can’t imagine how difficult the journeys would have been.
When the time came for my discharge, the perceived wisdom of the time being that I was cured, I was reluctant to go home….the staff of the hospital had become my ‘family’ so it was amid floods of tears that I went home with these ‘strangers’. My parents were advised to get me a tricycle and to encourage me to ride as much as possible. The prognosis of complete cure seemed to be vindicated, as I was able to take part in all the normal activities of a growing child. All that was conspicuous that I kicked with my left foot (otherwise right-handed). Consequently, my left leg developed to ‘iron man’ proportions! It seemed that only my lower legs had been affected... so from the knees up, everything worked as normal.
Unrelated to the polio was the fact that I became very obese during my teenage years but dealt with it by following a rigorous gym routine, which was not inhibited in the least by my bout of polio. I was then able to play cricket and squash (as if the world depended on it!) without any restriction… other than my lack of talent.
In my late teens I took up drum lessons and found that I could not lift my feet on the drum pedals to the extent other students were able to. I thought nothing of it as it was nothing more than a minor irritation. Everything continued without let or hindrance, until at some point in the 1980’s I noticed that I was automatically using my hands to help me stand up from a chair and when walking down stairs, my right heel would ’slap’ on the step unless I quite consciously controlled it. As time passed, I noticed that my left calf muscle was diminishing, and it was about then that the ‘Post-Polio Syndrome’ was identified world-wide. Since then my physical mobility has declined very very gradually without curtailing any of my activities to any great degree… until recently. I became aware a few years ago that I could no longer run or squat and more recently walking on uneven or sloping ground and climbing stairs has become almost impossible without some form of assistance ( so far a hand rail and staring at the ground is all that is needed ! )
I have been involved in Polio SA’s hydrotherapy programme for the last couple of years and have found the activity and the moral support a great encouragement in sustaining a positive attitude and a sense that it is possible to slow the deterioration. A two-week live-in assessment at Griffith Private Hospital proved to be most useful in the advice and activities available, reinforcing the assistance already rendered by Polio SA.
Dennis Johnson – Polio SA Member