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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Too Pushy on Suggesting Changes?

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 26, Number 3, Summer 2010. Dr. Rhoda Olkin is a Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco, as well as Executive Director of the Institute on Disability and Health Psychology. She is a polio survivor and single mother of two grown children. QUESTION: As a group leader I sometimes feel I …

Fatigue (Constantly Tired)

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 29, Number 1, Winter 2013 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: I had polio in both legs at age 10 in 1953 and was unable to walk for a year. With therapy and exercise, I pretty well recovered in one leg and can walk without help. How does fatigue affect people who have had polio? I’m …

Feeling Weak

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 30, Number 1, Winter 2014 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: I am 66, and I had polio at age 3. My muscles are feeling weak, so if you know what I can do about it I would be grateful. I am depressed about this. Answer: Your concerns about muscle weakening along with muscle and joint pains …

Improve Muscle Function?

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 30, Number 1, Winter 2014 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: I am a 61-year-old female who has recently been diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. I am looking for the latest research on improving muscle function in the affected limb. Are there new medicines that can improve muscle functioning? Answer: Research studies have demonstrated that muscle strength and endurance can …

Husband “Needs” the Information

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 30, Number 2, Spring 2014. Dr. Rhoda Olkin is a Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco, as well as Executive Director of the Institute on Disability and Health Psychology. She is a polio survivor and single mother of two grown children. Dr. Stephanie T. Machell is a psychologist in …

Trust Trainers?

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 30, Number 2, Spring 2014. Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: My husband had polio at age 8. He is now 71. His left leg has started giving out on him and he falls. He goes to a special trainer, but I’m afraid the trainer doesn’t know how to treat this. What type of exercises should benefit …

Facial Involvement and PPS

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, (Volume 31, Number 3), Summer 2015 Question: What are the symptoms in patients with post-polio syndrome with facial involvement? I am a PT with facial nerve involvement due to polio. Response from Dr. Fred Maynard: Regarding facial nerve involvement after poliomyelitis: It is not common but also not rare. I have seen well over a dozen patients with significant one-sided facial …

Techniques to Help Us Make Changes

Brian Tiburzi

Mavis Matheson, MD, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada In 1995, I wrote an article called Changing Your Life By Conserving Energy. In it, I listed three techniques from an article by Sybil Kohl. Her techniques have helped me to make healthy choices and prevent further pain and weakness. Kohl [1] suggests three techniques that we could use to help ourselves make changes. These are …