Stories

As we acknowledge World Polio Day and continue to imagine our world without polio, Rotary continues to take global action to halt this devastating virus. 

There is a ravaging PS to the Polio story. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) affects 25-40% of Polio survivors usually 20-40 years after their original Polio diagnosis. PPS affects their nerves and muscles causing progressive weakness and fatigue, breathing and swallowing problems, sleep disorders, sensitivity to cold to name a few symptoms. There is no cure for the potentially devastating decline of those stricken with PPS.

While there is no cure, research and work continues to develop and implement crucial supportive therapies and device use to help those with the myriad challenges of PPS. Let us step up to assist those who already survived Polio (currently estimated 300,000 in USA) and now may face the challenges of PPS. 

Please stay tuned as we endeavor to increase awareness of and support for PPS. Join us as we take action to repair and bring healing to the world starting from the doorsteps in our local community. 

Our next step will be a personal account from a Polio survivor with Post-Polio Syndrome (via Zoom) for our VVS Community Club meeting on November 3 at 6pm. Please join us to learn and to support this tenacious survivor.

Sources:
Cedars-Sinai.org
ninds.nih.gov
Marchofdimes.org

For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.

 

After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.

What is it like taking a large team to Africa?  It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.

A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.

Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."

 

The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.