Boynton, Patricia - Poweshiek County

Tell us what you remember of the impact of polio:

I was one of the small children that was struck with polio. I was 3 years old (1945) and can remember my parents taking me to Blank Children's Hospital. My father carried me into the hospital.

I was placed in an isolation unit for polio victims. My parents were not allowed to touch me. I looked at them through a glass window and waved to them. I still have the small yarn bear that was given to me by my parents to hold while I was in isolation.

The only place that my body was affected was my face. I remember doing what they called bunny exercises to strengthen the muscles in my face. I have no visible signs that I ever had polio, which I am very thankful for. Many others were crippled with the disease.

My sister was sent to live with my aunt and grandmother to make sure she was not exposed to the virus at home. She did not get the polio virus.

Describe the reaction of your family and others you knew to the development of the vaccine:

Our family was thrilled when the vaccine was developed. I had to take the vaccine also even though I had polio earlier. They told me that there was more than one strain of polio and I needed to be vaccinated for it.

General Comments:

I have two grown girls and 3 grandchildren and I am very thankful that there is a vaccine to prevent them from getting polio.