We are a group of polio survivors, and their partners, who meet on a regular basis at the “Mornington Information Centre”, Main Street, in their Seminar room. We all have one thing in common, we survived polio and most of us are now experiencing new symptoms of fatigue, new weakness, and pain. We discuss the latest information on Post-Polio, most of which we obtain from the Internet, and have a very informal and friendly chat. It is a common feeling amongst us that we have felt relieved at finding that there is some common cause for our problems and that it is not "all in or heads" as so many of us have been told. There are strategies for dealing with these problems and a growing number of doctors are aware of the existence of Post-Polio and how to treat it. Unfortunately they are in the minority in many countries.

To quote DR Nancy Frick "No doctor, no government official anywhere in the world should be allowed to dismiss polio survivors by saying they "don't believe" in PPS," added Frick", PPS is not a religious issue, but a reality backed by nearly two decades of research and clinical experience. "In keeping with the philosophy of The Post-Polio Institute's Intercontinental Assessment Service, Bruno repeated: "The many millions of people who had polio throughout the world are not getting any younger or any stronger. The time for polio survivors to get the information and care they need to treat PPS -- wherever they live in the world -- is now"

Our group started in May 1996 after a meeting called by Jeanette Marshall, Community Officer of "Polio Network Victoria" for all interested parties. I was "volunteered" for the position of chairman by one of the kind ladies present and have enjoyed the job ever since. The first official meeting of the group was called on 8th June 1996.

The main purpose of our group is to gather and disseminate information on Post-Polio, which there is in abundance! We are extremely careful in selecting the articles, which only come from highly reputable sources, such as the "Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network" (Possibly the largest in the world), DR's L. Bruno and N. Frick of the USA, and our own Prof. Mary Westbrook of the Post-Polio Network (NSW).

Between 20,000 and 40,000 Australians had paralytic polio between the 1930's and 1960's. Some of these experience long term difficulties known as Residual Polio.

It is estimated that between 25% and 65% of those who had previously had polio developed new symptoms many years after the initial infection.

These symptoms fall into three categories:

• A lack of strength and endurance.
• Painful muscles and joints.
• Breathing, swallowing and speaking problems.

If you know that you had previously had polio and experience some or all of the above symptoms you may experience the late effects of polio, (PPS). The most important factor in managing the late effects of polio is energy conservation.