As children their childhood was restricted
As adults they meet continuing challenges

In Australia, we're lead to believe that polio is a disease of the past, especially with the continuing push for immunisation. For thousands of Australians who survived the polio epidemics earlier this century, it is very much in their present as new polio-related disabilities present continuing challenges.

Fatigue, muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain and breathing problems are the unexpected new symptoms of what is now generally considered to be a second phase of polio called 'post-polio syndrome' or 'the late effects of polio'. This second phase of polio has come as a terrifying shock to these many polio survivors who have made incredible recoveries and firmly put polio in their past.

A Report Polio - A Challenge for Life - The Impact of Late Effects will be released during the upcoming annual Post-Polio Awareness Week (1 - 7 November). Conducted by the Post-Polio Network (NSW), a voluntary body of polio survivors who are all now experiencing its late effects, the Report details the impact on survivors' lives of the late effects of polio. One of the more significant findings is that around 50% of those no longer working have been forced into early retirement, no longer able to cope with full-time employment as a result of their deteriorating condition. Other Report findings are that more than half the people experiencing the late effects have difficulty walking, and over 25% are increasingly unable to manage the normal activities of daily living. The Report will be distributed to State and Federal Health Departments, community groups and other health and medical facilities in time for the Awareness Week.

According to Gillian Thomas, President of the Post-Polio Network, the community, including those in the health professions, need to become aware of the after shock that polio has in store for those who survived its initial onslaught. "It's imperative to our well-being and our continued survival. Too many survivors are not being treated appropriately, as too often ageing, lack of exercise, weight gain, laziness, menopause, or even hypochondria are given as the reasons for the difficulties we face when they should instead be traced back to the residual effects of having had polio some 40 or more years ago." If left unrecognised, the late effects of polio can lead to the loss of mobility and independence. The key to arresting further deterioration is to be sensitive to the limitations now imposed.

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If you are interested in speaking to a member of the Post-Polio Network (NSW) for a local interest story, or would like more information about the Report, please call (02) 9663 2402 or (02) 9787 1042.

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