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Early Years | |||
| A Branch of the British Polio Fellowship was formed in Northern Ireland in 1939. In 1962 the Northern Ireland Branch became a separate organisation and the Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship was born. This coincided with the end of the major epidemics thanks to a very effective vaccine being introduced. The challenge for the new NIPF was to look after its 700 members the majority of which were still children. Most of our early memories are of Harold Rankin as General Secretary and Welfare Officer. Harold a polio survivor himself worked tirelessly for all members of the Fellowship. When the Fellowship acquired “Polio House” at 485 Antrim Road it seemed like a dream come true. There were classes organised for shorthand, typing and printing. A Physiotherapy room was also included together with a full sized snooker table. The grounds were a haven for all the younger members to play in. Not everything, of course, happened at “Polio House”. Who could forget the treasure hunts, trips to Portrush, boat trips etc. that were organised. For many the Saturday night swimming at the Ormeau Baths was something not to be missed. Bill Foster, Roly McAteer and Ben McDermott taught hundreds of polio survivors to swim. The highlight of the year was the annual gala and the trips to swim against other polios all over GB and also in Dublin. Each Christmas there were the Christmas Parties and the trips to the pantomime. |
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