Texas Bay Area Polio Survivors Support Group
March 3, 2006 - Monthly Meeting
Hello, Survivors! If you weren’t able to attend this month’s meeting, you were missed! Knowing it’s not possible for everyone to be present, we’ll do the next best thing – let you know what was discussed, what ‘important’ happenings were, and what some of the laughter was about!
And, if you’re interested in learning more about our group, hopefully these notes will give you some information about what our Polio Survivors Support Group addresses. Also, if you are a family member of a polio survivor who is not able to make the meetings, consider attending the meetings so you can share the information with your loved one.
In February, our new web page was launched – check it out at www.texasbayareapolio.org. It’s a work in progress, so any information or input you want to share is appreciated. Doris and John, our group co-leaders, have their email addresses posted on the site, and would be interested to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this new endeavor.
We began our meeting with Mark Hayes, our talented web master, giving an overview of everything posted so far on the web page. There are many links to various groups and information sites, and we hope to have information on all of our members soon. Of particular interest is the ‘want it/need it’ – a place for ads of items to sell or share, and of items needed.
There were about 25 people attending, so we had a good turnout.
Attending for the first time was James Cousey. At ten years old, James contracted polio, and shared with us his emotional memories of his grandmother being the one who took him to Jefferson Davis Hospital, and of his father being there with him. James was born in Houston, but now lives in LaPorte.
We also asked Janice Orrell and Howard Hester, new visitors last month, to share their stories again for those who missed them in February.
Craig Johnson hasn’t been able to attend in quite some time due to a lengthy illness, and he caught everyone up-to-date on the health challenges he has faced this past year.
Doris always provides the group with pertinent articles, and this month she provided us with some laughs as well – FDRD – Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt derriere. Though the subject concerning burning sensations vs. pressure sores was serious, the spirit of the group prevailed. And, adding to our laughter was the discussion of ‘men’ o-pause and ‘women’ o-pause!
On a more serious note, we all reflected on the comments of how the after-effects of polio are so vastly different, with no two people facing the identical challenges. The complexities of each individual’s problems are worth noting, considering they were all brought about by one virus.
John brought up the fact that our group is based on the fact that we consider ourselves to be survivors of, not victims of, polio. This is reflected well in our name, Texas Bay Area Polio Survivors. And, in our attitudes…
The two Door Prizes went to Virginia Chase and Jeanne Schenk.
Hope you can join us next month on April 1st . (Really it’s going to be on April Fools ) so be prepared.
Our Guess Speaker will be World renounced Nobel Prize winner Doctor A.F. Day MD,PHD,ASAP and BYOB.
He will tell us everything we always wanted to know. This should be one exciting meeting.
Oh, and the next general meeting of the TPSA (Texas Polio Survivor’s Association) is on March 26, from 2:00pm till 4:00pm. The guest speaker is Denise Taylor, and the topic is ‘respiratory’. Please plan to attend. Offers to carpool were made, so contact John or Virginia….. If you would like a ride or can offer a ride.
See you next time!
Carol