Mary Jane Boorom, Black Hawk County

Interviewee: Mary Jane Boorom
Interviewer: Kate Scott
Date of Interview: 11/02/07
Run Time: Approximately 50M

Cassette
Biographical Data Form
Oral History Release
Supplemental Typescript
No Photographs Submitted
Transcript

In her oral history, Mary Jane Boorom of Cedar Falls commented on the emotional effects of polio, "It does affect your personality, I think because I had it so young.  It probably affected me maybe a little bit differently.  I didn't really recall anything as a very young child but later in school, like I had mentioned before about just the ability not to be able to run as fast and those things and being if I got chilled, I would easily pick up something and I would be sick.  I think the biggest thing I remember with my family was that it just was not going to get me out of any work.  You just, ok you had it, it's over, and you've got to pull your weight here - you can't be given an exemption.  I think [this attitude was due] probably a lack of understanding.  I think again, at the time, they just thought exercise was the answer and you had to keep moving."