The iron lung – a polio patient's story

Abstract

I developed polio in 1949 when I was about 7 years old. I remember not feeling very well and not being able to get out of bed. It then transpired that I was paralysed down the left side. The doctor came and I was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. I was in hospital over Christmas which I remember quite fondly because it was quite fun really, although I couldn’t sit up. I know my parents spent Christmas Day with me. After that I cannot remember the details but I was taken to Oxford, I think it was to the Churchill. At that time it was thought a good idea to put patients out in the cold. I remember being pushed out of the veranda windows in the bed in February. I was sent home still unable to walk fully. I did not have callipers or anything like that but I was too weak down the left side. When I went back to school for half-days I had to be taken in a wheel-chair. But by the time I got to about 10, I was ‘normal’ apart from the fact that my back had started to curve: my spine was curved, but it did not stop me doing anything.