History of the Central Virginia Post-Polio Support Group
Our Post-Polio Support Group began because of
someone who was having
baffling symptoms like 'old polio' and wondered if
others like herself were experiencing similar problems. Thus began
Margo Gathright-Dietrich’s
search for others
who wanted information about these new weaknesses.
Margo founded our support group with four others in July of 1986.
They
met at Dumbarton Library in Henrico County. In addition to the
polio individuals,
Sue Hirt, a retired Physical Therapist and Professor Emeritus of
the Medical College
of Virginia, was present at that first meeting. Sue had originally
treated polio victims
in the late forties and early fifties. She has continued to be
an invaluable source of
information for those of us who were too young to remember the
original bout with
the Polio virus.
From that first meeting, our support group grew
quickly and has met at
various locations; including the Adult Day Care Center and the
Center for
Independent Living. We finally settled in at Sheltering Arms Hospital,
and were
very instrumental in the formation of the hospital’s Post-Polio
Clinic. We met at
Rehabilitation Hospital of Virginia from January of 1993 until
February of 1995
while renovations were being done at Sheltering Arms Hospital.
Our group made a decision to affiliate itself
with the Easter Seal Society of
Virginia, Inc. from the beginning and has continued to do so. We
are especially grateful for the continued support of Ginger Ellis,
Director of Program Administration with Easter Seals Virginia.
Ginger is also a member of our board.
Another board member whom we hold in high esteem is Charley Brower.
Charley first attended our group in April of 1988, and has been
very instrumental
in promoting our causes to the March of Dimes. He has served on
its board, and
currently volunteers his time there and with several other charitable
organizations.
We welcome to our support group all individuals who have had
Polio,
their families and friends. We also invite interested professionals.
Our meetings
are held monthly for the purpose of sharing and supporting those
experiencing
problems with Post-Polio Syndrome. Meetings include general discussions
or the
occasional speakers we invite who provide additional information.
We also have
socials, including a Christmas party and our annual dinner which
is usually held in
June of each year and began in May of 1990. Last year, a retreat
was held at
Camp Easter Seal in September of 1998. Reservations have already
been made
for September of 1999.
Revised June, 1999
Pat Poole, Librarian
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