Text Box: Information, resources, and support for Maine people with polio...and their families... since 1986. Ann Crocker—Editor Rick Meade—Layout/Design Text Box: Phone: (207) 724-3784 Text Box: c/o 674 Hallowell-Litchfield Road West Gardiner, Maine 04345 Text Box: The Post Polio Support Group Of Maine Winter 2005-06 PPSGMText Box: NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID GARDINER, MAINE PERMIT # 10
Text Box: Now on the worldwide web at: http://www.ppsgm.org Text Box: Another member’s story Text Box: John Cloutier is now living in Hawaii, but as a child he lived in Maine. When he contracted polio, he spent several months at the Hyde Memorial Home in Bath. A few months ago he contacted us to find out more information about post-polio syndrome and later planned to go the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. Here is a portion of a presentation he made in Hawaii following his trip to Washington. One key memory he has of his initial polio experience was the Sister Kenny treatment, including the muscle workings and hot blankets. He had a relatively healthy adulthood, but began experiencing increased weakness and fatigue. He comments that the National Rehabilitation Hospital is in a very large 4-story building, with accommodations across the street. With over thirty different programs and fifty services, the hospital is designed to handle just about any rehabilitation evaluation and treatment. There are testing equipment of everyday life activities, such as climbing stairs, working in kitchens, driving automobiles, playing golf on a putting green. There are samples of a wide range of assistive aids, such as wheelchairs, braces, and canes. With a specialized post-polio team, one receives a comprehensive evaluation of polio survivors. A packet of information is sent to anyone who is scheduled for an upcoming evaluation, which includes keeping track of daily activities. Having copies of medical records and lab tests aids the evaluation process. His evaluation lasted two days, and among the recommendations given by Dr. Lauro Halstead were ones we all should heed –energy conservation is the bottom line; don’t overuse your weakened muscles as they will get worse faster; rest when you can, and take brief naps each day.

We want to update our Health Professional Page on our website, www.ppsgm.org, as well as to have a more accurate listing available through our library kept at Alpha One for anyone wishing copies. This is a compilation of health professionals (doctors, therapists, etc.) recommended by one or more of our members and is not intended as a listing recommended by the Post Polio Support Group of Maine.

Do you have a health professional that has been very helpful and understanding about post polio syndrome and wish to share the name with others?  Or, did you give us a name awhile ago, and wish it to be deleted from our list? If you wish to add someone to our list of health professional's recommended by our members, please either e-mail us at abcrocker@prexar.com or send to our address above.

PPSGM HEALTH

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRY