I have found that the most important thing I need to do is to listen to my body. Some days I am wiser about this than others. If I wake up and feel that I have a lot of energy and little fatigue or pain, I sometimes overdo; that, I have learned, is a mistake. Why? Because that night or …
Shared peer advice from polio survivors about what works for them.
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News about people who have made significant contributions to the disability community.
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In Memoriam: Ira Holland (1939-2004)
On March 16, 2004, Ira Holland died in his own home with his own personal assistants around him. Ira is survived by his family of friends that includes Maria A. Manrique, a person who played a significant role in his life for more than 20 years; Ed Litcher, who became more of a brother than a friend; Margo and John, …
Surgical Relaxation of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter
Peter C. Ellis, Nepean, Ontario, Canada, described his swallowing problems in Polio Network News (now Post-Polio Health), Spring 1998, Vol. 14, No. 2: Since 1997 I have experienced moderate to severe swallowing difficulties, a constricted upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and a small anterior diverticulum (pouch) just above the UES. After undergoing a second modified barium swallow video x-ray study in …
Acupressure then rest.
I just wanted to tell you that my Membership is invaluable. I want to share with you what I learned by experience. One treatment from a chiropractic doctor using acupressure does me more good than a masseuse, and Medicare pays. 18-24 hours of complete rest after the acupressure treatment reduces my pain by 50% for the remaining 5 days. Daily stretches …
Gary McPherson Named to Order of Canada
Gary McPherson (see update above), ventilator user and polio survivor, recently became a member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest honor for lifetime achievement. McPherson, a longtime advocate for people with disabilities, currently spearheads a campaign to raise $33 million for a new Steadward Centre at the University of Alberta to sponsor more facilities and research for disabled …
Retirement Celebration for Stanley K. Yarnell, MD
Comments from Joan L. Headley, MS, Executive Director, Post-Polio Health International, at the celebration “In October of 1989, I sat, in Saint Louis, with my seat in an upright position and my seat belt buckled on a TWA flight to Dallas en route to Vancouver, British Columbia, for my third post-polio conference. “I observed a flight attendant escort a tall …
Polio Survivor/Ventilator User’s Experience with Surgery
Larry B., Virginia, lcbecker@bookwork.net Written in June, 2003, reporting on surgery earlier that year that has remained a complete solution to the problem Recent advances in minimally invasive surgery have been very beneficial for me. After 45 post-polio years of avoiding surgery altogether, I have recently been forced into two significant surgical procedures. One was an emergency gallbladder operation (in …
Personal Exercise Plans
In the Summer 2001 issue of Polio Network News (now Post-Polio Health), we asked for information from polio survivors about exercise programs that work for them. PHI welcomes others to share “what works for them.” Exercise by Jerry V., Fort Worth, Texas In 1954 as a child of three I contracted polio. I wore a brace until around the age …