2004 Annual Conference

 

Our Annual Post-Polio Conference will be held on September 11th at the Elks Club in Augusta.  Many organizations will be there to talk about available services and programs.  We’re looking forward to seeing you there! 

Text Box: Maroon Nemer believes that bowling is what brought him better health. In 1937, Maroon Nemer of Skowhegan contracted polio. He spent 28 months in the Children’s Hospital in Portland, three months in an iron lung, and when released could get around only with the aid of braces and crutches. He credits his involvement with candlepin bowling in improving his lot in life dramatically. When he was a teenager, Maroon offered to help at a local bowling alley and kept begging the manager to let him set up the pins. He found the activity helped make his arms and legs stronger. Eventually, he didn’t need to use either braces or crutches. Competitive bowling soon enticed him. Despite needing to switch arms when one got too tired, he averaged around 110, with a top single string score of 168. His career included working in sales for various companies and even managing a bowling alley. While raising a family, he stayed involved in community events. He’s been an active Elks member, and one year was state president of the Maine Elks Association. While has been involved with other activities since the 60’s, Maroon is still an avowed supporter of bowling and encourages young people to try it. He admits to slowing down, now, and using a walker. Like many of us, he is experiencing the exhaustion and weakness of post polio syndrome, but that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying Text Box: The Post Polio Support Group of Maine is a private, non-profit 501 [c] (3) organization. We offer the latest information on the late effects of polio to more than nine hundred polio survivors, their families, and health care providers throughout Northern New England and parts of Canada. Support for our work comes from donations from the public, from Alpha One, and from a grant furnished by the Pine Tree Society. For more information, contact us at: The Post Polio Support Group of Maine c/o 674 Hallowell-Litchfield Road West Gardiner, Maine 04345 Phone: (207) 724-3784 NOW ON THE WORLWIDE WEB: Text Box: PPSGM Member tells his story

The Post Polio

Support Group Of Maine

 

Spring 2004

Polio Update

Weather Safety Tips

 

Winter offers us many challenges in navigating slippery walkways, with snow/slush/ice everywhere; and the cold weather often leaves us feeling weaker or more unsure of our ability to get around.  With winter still fresh in our minds, now is a good time to assess what we wish we had to get around better.  Let’s start now and be prepared when weather conditions require additional safety aids.  Many of theses suggestions are offered by the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network to help us avoid falls.

 

· Add a hinged ice pick to the end of your cane or walking stick (it can be turned up for inside use)

· Add anti-skid material to the bottom of your shoes and under any scatter rugs that slip around.

· Consider adding additional walking aids (e.g. two canes instead of one or walker instead of canes)

· Wear boots and shoes with good traction

· Use an autostart for your vehicle (will assist in melting snow and ice)

· Add a windshield plastic guard to lessen strain in scraping ice

· Try a lock deicer

· Consider auto club memberships for emergency

· Have a cell phone in your vehicle whenever you travel.

· Try to park vehicles on level areas as near to entryways as possible.

 

Many of these suggested items can be purchased at local drug stores or medical supply companies. Spaulding mentioned that LLBean has an antiskid sole that can be velcroed onto shoes and has detachable metal studs for added traction (Item #TA17300 “Stabilizers anti-skid soles” (1-800-221-4221 or www.llbean.com).