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| Between 1938 and 1969 Northern Ireland, like most other parts of the British Isles, suffered the ravages of Poliomyelitis. There were 1,816 cases and children were particularly vulnerable to the disease then sometimes called Infantile Paralysis. The years with the biggest outbreaks were 1947 (208 cases), 1950 (272 cases), 1953 (290 cases) and 1957 (297 cases). In the late 1950s effective immunisation against polio was developed. The number of new cases fell dramatically. There were only five new cases in the1970s and the last recorded case was in 1982. In the 1950s and 1960s there was enormous medical support for polio victims, mainly through Musgrave Park Hospital. Orthopaedic operations to remedy defects caused by polio were carried out, and there were specialists in the field. Following extensive rehabilitation, many polio victims were able to lead useful independent lives, often having little contact with the medical profession. During this time the Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship (NIPF) had some 700 members and ran swimming classes, parties, excursions, trips to the cinema and pantomimes for its members. It also ran vocational training such as shorthand, typing and printing for those reaching working age. Its welfare officer was also highly involved in trying to get members into employment. It was a hectic time and the Fellowship played an invaluable role in the lives of its members. Survivors were encouraged to make light of their disabilities and lead as normal a life as possible. Gradually, as the “polio generation” grew up and reached adult life, the need for medical support diminished. So also did members drift away form the NIPF and active membership dwindled until it reached an all time low of less than 30. All survivors were lead to believe that polio was a static disease and that after the initial illness and a period of recovery you reached an optimum level and that would continue. However, those people who survived the earlier epidemics are now in their middle to later years. Between 20 and 40 years later, many of these people are now experiencing new symptoms for which they need to seek help. These are nor just age related, and include :
These symptoms have now been internationally recognised and researched. They are known as The Late Effects of Polio or Post Polio Syndrome While there is presently no known cure, much can be done to alleviate some of the symptoms and enable the retention of an independent life, albeit with some modification to lifestyle. The NIPF has reacted to this change. We still run social functions such as an annual dinner, barbeque quiz etc. It is no longer necessary to do vocational training or to find employment for members so the emphasis has changed to highlighting the problems now being encountered by polio survivors. Membership has now risen to almost 230. There a still, however, many polio survivors in Northern Ireland who are not members. If you are one of them then please join us. It couldn’t be easier simply go to the membership section, download the form and send it to us with your membership fee – it is a very modest £5 for annual membership or £25 for a life membership. The major problem all survivors face is getting the medical profession to recognise their condition. Because for so many years they simply got on with life and had no medical intervention expertise on the ongoing treatment of polio survivors has disappeared. The NIPF is determined to continue to highlight the problems survivors are encountering so why not come and join us. | ||
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