Conquering the Polio Legacy Leaflet

Do any of these sound familiar?

Muscle and joint pain?
Lack of strength and increased muscle weakness?
Extreme fatigue?
Breathing problems often related to difficulty sleeping?
Swallowing problems?
Severe intolerance of cold?
Decline in ability to enjoy everyday activities such as walking?

The Post Polio Support Group

The Post Polio Support Group has a variety of programmes to assist Polio Survivors in coping with their condition. These include the supply of Aids & Appliances and Assistive Technology, and Services, such as; Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy assessments, Counselling, Chiropody, Respite Care, Building Adaptations and others. The Group publishes information booklets, both for the medical profession and survivors, and you can access information from the Group's newsletter and website. The Group continues to look at new ways to improve assistance to Polio Survivors.

The Post Polio Support Group is here to support you. It can put you in touch with other Polio Survivors through local social support meetings, area meetings, annual general meetings, as well as seminars, conferences and other events. There are more than 7000 Polio Survivors in Ireland. Around 60% of survivors may be experiencing the Late Effects of Polio (Post Polio Syndrome).

Medical Advice

Polio Survivors concerned about the Late Effects of Polio should contact their Doctors for advice or referral to a Consultant. There may be an appropriate Neurological Consultant in your area. The Neuromuscular Clinic in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, has assessed survivors over many years. Neurological clinics have been planned for other locations in the future.

What can you do to manage it?

Be strong, at the moment there is no cure for what you are going through, though there are a lot of things you can do to maintain your lifestyle -- with a lot of resolve from yourself and a little help from us. You will have to make changes but the results will make it worthwhile:

Energy Management -- Strike the right balance between rest and activity.
General Health - - Give your body the best chance it can have by living healthily.
New Aids - - New lighter callipers and other aids may make your life easier for you.
Greater Care -- Always seek professional advice before taking prescription or over the counter medication or remedies.
Specialist Treatment -- From Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Orthotists, Counsellors, Chiropodists, and others.
Specialist Consultations -- with Neurological, Orthopaedic, Rehabilitation and Respiratory Consultants, amongst others.
Psychological Support -- From Psychologists and professional Counsellors.
Peer Support -- Other Polio Survivors can be of great assistance to someone coping with the Late Effects of Polio. The Post Polio Support Group enables this effectively.

Make sure that you and your family understand the problems associated with the Late Effects of Polio and how it can be managed. Work with them and the professionals, you may be referred to, as you continue to enjoy life and keep the independence you have fought so hard to attain. The supports are there for YOU! Make sure YOU use them to the full!

Click to enquire about membership of the Post Polio Support Group.

CONTACT
Post Polio Support Group
Unit 319 Capel Building
Mary's Abbey
Dublin 7

Tel (01) 889 8920
Fax (01) 889 8924
E-mail: info@ppsg.ie

Registered Charity No 11356