Virginia Bellows, Clay County

Interviewee: Virginia Bellows  
Interviewer: Kate Scott
Date of Interview: August 30, 2007
Location of Interview: Spencer, Iowa (Clay Co.)
Run Time: Approximately 20M

Cassette
Biographical Data Form       
Oral History Release
Photographs (2)
Transcript

Virginia Irene (Adams) Bellows was born on January 3, 1914 in Alta, Iowa. Her son, Glen, also recorded for the Iowa Polio Stories Oral History Collection, was diagnosed with polio in 1952 on a farm outside Spencer. In her interview, Bellows spoke of the heartache she felt over the situation, “Of course, I was very upset,” she recalled. “So, I cleaned house and cleaned the kitchen thoroughly like they told us. ‘Clean your house really good so that you won’t pass any germs on,’ [they said]. So, I got down on my hands and knees.” Like most parents, Virginia, and her husband Glen Sr., gave their son the best care possible. “Our cars were not as efficient as they are today…it was a great effort,” she said, thinking about the frequent trips to the Sister Kenny Institute and the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. The Bellows also took Glen to Warm Springs, Georgia and later discovered a higher education program at the Illinois State College. “There was a set up there where they could take wounded people, partly from the war, rather than [polio]. But, there was quite an organization there. And, It was a good place for him to go to school.  He actually graduated in engineering – and, made his living that way – it is amazing.”