Polio Memories

This project is a living archive of peoples memories who were afflicted by this viral disease which reached epidemic proportions in the earlier part of the 20th Century. It killed and maimed huge numbers all over the world, before successful vaccines were developed. A subsequent program of mass immunisation effectively stopped the widespread epidemics wherever the vaccines were used. There is no known cure for Poliomyelitis , it was very difficult to prevent its spread. It was also known as Infantile Paralysis as the majority of individuals who were badly affected by Polio were children who are particularly vunerable to the ravages of this disease.

As a consequence of the epidemics in the UK, a need for people to understand and share ways of coping with effects upon the individuals and their families became apparent. In 1938, two people (Frederic Morana and Patricia Carey) who had both been afflicted by Poliomyelitis met and together they started The Infantile Paralysis Fellowship. This eventually became The British Polio Fellowship that is active in support and information for it's members today. The activities of the fellowship is catalogued on this site as a historical record and example of how society and disability has coped down the decades.

In relatively recent years, many who had recovered from the initial infection in varing degrees going on to live active and full lives were surprised at the onset new symptoms of weakness, loss of stamina, cronic fatigue, pain and decline in mobility. This is now known as Post Polio Syndrome. The British Polio Fellowship has been active in providing information and support to it's members and promoting ways for members of the medical and caring professions gain knowledge and understanding of the developments.