Julie contracted polio in 1952 as a child.. Diagnosis was difficult as she lived in Hawera and had to travel to meet consultants. Even then the diagnosis was slow in coming.
Notwithstanding her diagnosis of Polio Judy boxed on wearing the boots to assit with walking obtaining a degree in sociology and as recipient of a Paul Harris scholarship at Oxford a degree of Master of Science in sociology and research. The Masters degree was hard work but entirely rewarding. Judy was hosted by the Rotary club of Abingdon just outside Oxford. In that time she saw exactly what Rotary can achieve. In particular one of the highlights of her trip to the UK was the convoy of Hope that delivered goods and necessities to those whose lives the war in old Yugoslavia had destroyed through destruction of property and or displacement.
Judy told us about about the late effects of polio. Her polio was not diagnosed for some time as a child and for some the effects of polio during the middle years were not visible to the uneducated eye. But as time has gone on Judy she told us she has noticed the late effects of polio which is a decline in muscular strength, less endurance, and intolerance to cold, dysphagia severe fatigue and other matters. These are things that need to be managed rather than ignored.
While Julie works to manage these late effects she worked part-time three days a week which mitigates the problems she has. Judy's address while brief was enlightening and shows that even though Rotary may help in the eradication of the disease there will be much to work on in helping those who are polio survivors as time passes.