Polio Pictures
Lancaster County, PA
These "hot packs" are woolen pieces of cloth that were super heated, and put on the affected limbs (both of my legs were
paralysed). They were left on until they lost their heat,
but were removed before they cooled too much. This was part of the treatment that Sister Kenny, a young nurse from Australia devised to help those with Polio. She was a wise woman.
"This picture was taken at the local hospital where I spent several weeks in isolation, and getting "hot pack" treatments, and physical therapy, before transferring to the State Hospital for rehabilitation." September, 1953
While I was in the Elizabethtown Crippled Children's Hospital (which is now part of the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA),
I turned 6 years old. That's why I am dressed up and have all the gifts. My parents were only allowed to visit for a few hours every other Sunday. I sure missed them, as I spent almost a year in the hospital.
This is a picture of my mother visiting me. All visitors were required to wear masks. I am glad things are much better for kids who are hospitalized today.
Parents are now allowed to be with their children for loving
support. My mother even volunteered at the hospital in order to see me more often. They also brought food from home even though they weren't allowed to do that either.
This is my Dad, his mask is dropped. Probably time to leave! It was so hard to see them go. But, I knew they loved me and would be back. And, someday, I would go home again...
Vacation at the beach! Finally, after returning home, we took our first family vacation back to Ocean City. I had learned to walk quite well with a long, right leg brace or just using crutches. I loved to swim and loved to swim at the beach. I was allowed to do anything I felt I could do, and I grew up to be a typical teenager seen here with
my beloved class jacket: Warwick High School, class of 1965.
Here I am after a September Polio operation. Looks like I have a broken leg instead of Polio! A nice deception, but not the truth. My true friends didn't care, and I was blessed with many dear, true friends in my life.
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