Breitsprecher, Janis - Fayette County

Describe what you remember about the fear surrounding polio epidemics:

Two days after my third birthday, my sister, Delonis (Lonnie, Dee (Mrs. Lee) Wescott) was stricken with polio. She was 6 years old and in her 15th day of first grade at Arlington Public School. Her teacher was Miss Ardith Seehase (who later married and became Mrs. Richard Ramsey). I can be specific about these details for three reasons. My sister lived to tell about it, my mother, Darlene Humphrey, and I have had many conversations about the devastation of the dreaded polio and how she and dad coped with the disease while they continued to run their farm and care for family needs at home, and thirdly, because my grandmother, Clyta Humphrey (Mrs. Lester Humphrey), kept what she called her Day by Day Books.

This excerpt is from Grandma's Book on Tuesday, September 9, 1952. Delonis was stricken with polio today. Daryl and Darlene took our precious little Lonnie to Dr. Ford (Dr. L. A. Ford, Lamont, Iowa) this morning and he said she had every symptom of polio and sent them right on to Cedar Rapids to Mercy Hospital. Dr. Foster is the doctor there. Daddy and Mamma had to leave her there in isolation. She is in a glass room all by herself. The tests showed it to be polio. She has a temperature of 104 degrees. God in Heaven, we pray you will guide and keep and make our baby well and happy again. God, be with and guide her heart broken Daddy and Mamma and her Grandpa and Grandma too. It is so hard to bear. Little Janis is home here with her Grandpa and Grandma H. Daryl called us from Hotel Magnuf Room 388 where they are staying tonight to be as near their baby as possible. God be with our baby and all the rest is my prayer.

The entries in Grandma's Book through September 18th are laced with daily trips to the hospital, prayer and progress. Entries like this, They (Daddy and Mamma) saw and talked to her (Lonnie) through a glass door today from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Then they came home and left her there alone. There was nothing else they could do. She knew they were coming and she was so brave. God Bless Her.  Daryl called the hospital again this morning. Lonnie is in fair condition. After the chores were done he and Darlene went to Cedar Rapids to see her from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM. She is still in isolation but she did seem much better today. Thank God we pray she will be lots better even by tomorrow. Then she will be past the critical stage.  Her Grandpa H. told the advertising girl on the radio that Lonnie was in fair condition and she put it on the air. Delonis' and her Grandpa's names both came over the air. Daddy and Mamma heard it. Was Grandpa ever surprised! We didn't even have the radio on!  Dad (Grandpa) goes to his work from here every day. So thankful it is so we can be right here and help keep things done and care for baby Janis. She asks Daddy and Mamma every day when Lonnie is coming home with them. Bless their little hearts.  They stopped to see Dr. Ford. He feels that our little girl is getting along satisfactorily. We are so thankful.  Daddy and Janis went to Sunday School then after dinner Daryl and Darlene went to see Lonnie in the hospital. She seems to be coming fine. We are so very thankful. Daddy and Janis got her Sunday School papers and one of the Sisters or nurses said she would read it to Lonnie tonight. She (Lonnie) told them what clothes to bring her to come home in today. This is the first she has mentioned home at all. Bless her little heart. Janis sent her a letter today. She was so happy about it and showed it to the nurse.  Harry and Lucille (Grandpa and Grandma Taylor) went to Cedar Rapids to see Lonnie. She is coming real good.

In all, Dee was in the hospital nine days. She was able to return to school half days eleven days after she returned home from the hospital and would rest every afternoon. On October 13, 1952, the entry in Grandma's Book read, Lonnie still has to go to school just half days. She cried about it this morning. She hates to miss school. She loves it so. I could cry too. Bless her little heart.  Two days later Delonis went to school all day and went to her friend, Joyce Jennings (Joyce (Mrs. Ron) Seedorff) house to play afterwards.

Tell us what you remember of the impact of polio:

I asked Dee what she remembered about having polio. She said she remembered being in isolation. She had been sent, and treasured, many cards, letters and gifts while being in the hospital and then she had to leave them all there and couldn't bring them home because of the fear of polio germs! She also remembers the extreme pain of the spinal tap!

When Mom and I talked about Dee being so sick she spoke so lovingly of all the family and friends back home who had kept the farm, family and household going so she and Dad could concentrate on Dee's care and getting her better both while she was in the hospital and after she came home. Mom spoke of the emotional pain of not being able to hold and comfort Dee while she was in isolation. It was interesting to me that Mom and Dad had just purchased a health insurance policy and it went into effect at noon on the same day Dee was admitted to the hospital at 1:00 PM. Mom and I spoke often while I was reading Splendid Solution. Some parts of the book made her feel sort of like she was reliving the nightmare.

Mom and Dad were so thankful Dee's polio left her with no known after effects. Dad died on Veterans Day, 2006. Mom and I agree that my Father, who was an avid reader, would have eagerly read this book. He would have weighed in with his personal memories of their time together 55 years ago when they saw their oldest daughter, Dee, through to renewed good health. I would have liked to hear him speak about that time in their lives.

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

I have given little thought to polio in my lifetime. I don't remember receiving the polio vaccinations but my school chum, Phyllis (Beltz) Kirk, does and shared her thoughts on that at our discussion group at the Arlington Public Library when we read and discussed Splendid Solution on March 29, 2007. She remembered lining up in the school lunch room to receive a shot with a needle the first time. The second immunization was administered with a "gun".

My own three children were given their vaccinations as infants. I now realize I was not nearly thankful enough for Jonas Salk and his co-workers hard work to find this "Splendid Solution". I wept tears of joy while reading the book when the vaccine was discovered!

General Comments :

On December 29, 1953, there was a very joyful entry in "Grandma's Book" about welcoming the third and youngest "Humphrey Sister". Myrna Jean (Mrs. Francis Krivanek)! I am sure that in 1955 when the Salk vaccine became available my parents breathed a huge sigh of relief for this answer to prayers! Just like the rest of the world!