Rowland, Gerry - Polk County

Describe what you remember about the fear surrounding polio epidemics:

In October of 1953, I was 5 years old and just 2 months into kindergarten in Angola, Indiana. My parents do not remember any other cases of polio in the university housing community where we lived, but polio was on everyone's mind in those years.

My mother was a nurse, and had experience with polio. She was also familiar with the Sister Kenney method of treating paralysis with hot compresses.

I came home from school complaining of pain in my legs and a fever, both of which became acute within hours. A visit to the local physician in the early evening rendered an immediate diagnosis of the dreaded polio, with a high fever and severe pain in my legs.

The polio wards in Indianapolis were discussed, but they were overflowing with victims. The physician was a proponent of the Sister Kenney treatment, and offered to give a quick refresher course. My parents decided to take on the daunting task of administering the hot compresses on a 24/7 basis, 2 hours on and 2 hours off. They carried on the treatment around the clock for 48 hours.

There was a brief remission; then the pain progressed into my abdomen, an ominous sign. The treatments continued for another 24 hours, at which time the attacks ceased.

Tell us what you remember of the impact of polio:

Fortunately, I have no memory of the polio attack. As far as I know, I suffered no permanent damage. Over the years, I have heard the story of my parents' heroic efforts to save me from this dreaded disease, and my appreciation for their loving care has increased as my understanding of the peril I faced has deepened.

It was only on reading Splendid Solution that I came to appreciate the super-human efforts made to eradicate this disease. How heartbreaking for those who became victims in the years before the vaccine became available, and how amazing that this scourge could be overcome through a massive national mobilization of funding and science.

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

It is a miracle that the scourge of polio was virtually eliminated within a few years. The memory of those days in October of 1953 is quite vivid to my parents, and I know that they were most grateful that the vaccine became available for my brother and sister.

General Comments:

I learned a great deal from Splendid Solution. The drama of the scientific battle to unlock the mysteries of the polio cure was truly a revelation. I had not fully appreciated the utter helplessness of a world threatened by the polio epidemic. I also had not realized how controversial yet amazingly effective the Sister Kenney method of treatment was.

I am profoundly thankful. Despite the circumstances, and thanks to the care I experienced as a polio victim, I was allowed to live and be a healthy child. My heart goes out to the millions who were not so fortunate.