European Polio Union

The PPSG is an active and full participant in the European Polio Union (EPU). The Group was one of the founder members and since its inception has had a member of the Group's Board serving on the governing body of the EPU.

The EPU has 18 member organisations from 16 countries, which are within the European Union or Associate EU counties. All these organisations represent Polio Survivors, their families and carers. Only three member organisations have permanent offices and staff, our own, the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) and the Danish Society of Polio and Accident Victims (PTU) and as such these three provide much of the support that the EPU needs to grow and hopefully in time stand on its own feet as a European wide pressure group advocating the recognition within the 27 EU member states, and associated states, of Post Polio Syndrome with full benefits under those counties individual health caring health structures. (The PPSG hosts the EPU website - www.europeanpolio.eu).

The EPU website brings together information, advice and knowledge from across Europe. This spans articles and entries specifically for the medical professional as well as a wealth of general information for the Polio Survivor, for example tips for travellers including why in some cases Polio Survivors may still need to be vaccinated against the disease when travelling to certain hot spots around the world. It also includes Medical Cards that can be printed off, filled in and carried by those with PPS warning medical professionals about their condition. The cards are in various languages including English, French, Spanish, German and several other eastern European languages.

In 2010 the EPU in conjunction with PTU started arranging an international conference "POST POLIO SYNDROME - the challenge of today" which is to be held in Copenhagen between 31 August and 2 September 2011. The PPSG has two papers it sponsored being presented, one by Ann Shanahan on the "Warm Embrace of Peer Support", the other by Deidre Murray, research physiotherapist at Beaumont Hospital, on exercise and fatigue in PPS patients.

The EPU is a young progressive organisation which enjoys the full support of the PPSG. It became a registered company and charity under Belgian law in 2009. 

For the EPU website, click: www.europeanpolio.eu