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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From Maggie Prestwich about John Prestwich

“It is with great sadness that I write to tell you all that my darling John died on Monday 27th February. He had been in St. Thomas’ Hospital, London for a few weeks undergoing tests for an obvious problem with his blood chemistry. The day he was due to come home he suddenly developed tremendous stomach pains. Following investigations and …

News from Ála Wokoun, Czech Polio Survivor

The last issue of our Bulletin of the Czech Polio Survivors’ Association has published my article and included basic information on the recent changes in your excellent organization at Post-Polio Health International and your informative Post-Polio Health. Last November, I suffered from a new physical complication in addition to my polio. My leg broke and due to my high age …

In Memoriam: Edward Anthony “Tony” Oppenheimer, MD, FCCP (1937-2005)

Our readers will be saddened by news of the death of Dr. Tony Oppenheimer, who died of complications of multiple myeloma in November. Many of you knew Dr. Oppenheimer through his extensive email practice on respiratory matters related to neuromuscular disease, begun after he retired in 2000 as Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Southern California Kaiser Permanente Group. …

In Memoriam: Hugh Gallagher (1932-2004)

Hugh Gallagher, a member of PHI’s Honorary Board, died July 13 at the age of 71. Gallagher contracted polio in 1952 while attending college. He received rehabilitation services at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation where he met former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. A disability rights activist and historian, Gallagher was acclaimed for his 1985 biography, FDR: The Splendid Deception, about …

Gertrud Weiss Receives the German Award of Merit

In March, Gertrud Weiss, Honorary Board member of Post-Polio Health International, received the German Award of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) from Federal President Johannes Rau for her service to polio survivors. The Bundesverdienstkreuz is the sole state award of merit given by the Federal Republic of Germany. Gertrud was very active in the Bundesverband Polio e.V in its early development and wrote …

Ála Wokoun: Czech Polio Survivor’s Trilogy

Polio Association of the Czech Republic (www.polio.cz) has published a biographic trilogy sponsored by the Czech Ministry of Culture. The author of the three Czech paperbacks, Mr. Ála (Alois) Wokoun was affected by polio in 1945 when he was 19. The trilogy has not been published in English, but the basic author’s English biography from the year of his paralysis …

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, …

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 …