Meeting October 25, 2010
Posted by Kevin Smith-Fagan
on Oct 20, 2010
Speaker: Paulette Bergounous
At the age of two Paulette contracted polio. Being too young to recall her hospital experience and the magnitude of what she endured, she assimilated into the “normal” mainstream with only minimal physical limitations. With a Masters Degree in Communication Disorders and working with disabled children, she felt validated over the years not only as a professional but also as a person. Still her life was never really complete. Feeling different inside however behaving as non-disabled. This created many life experiences that brought great joy, yet inner turmoil.
It was in the summer of 2008 when she found out the details of her polio history. The emptiness she felt all her life, which could not be filled with love, respect, accomplishments and material possessions was now lifted from her heart and mind.
Paulette now provides a powerful presentation that is inspirational and motivational.
Her affiliation with post-polio groups and her experience with a young polio patient in Vietnam have provided additional passion to her mission towards complete eradication of polio worldwide.