Week 26 - A Hard Choice - Porter

 Heading into the fall of 1950, there was worry in the air in the town of Midland, Michigan. Polio had reared its ugly head across the country and now the dreaded virus was becoming prevalent in many towns across the state of Michigan.

The virus did not discriminate. Young or old; rich or poor. Community pools were closed during the summer; extra-curricular activities were cancelled or postponed. Always on high alert. People were suddenly aware of symptoms of Polio. Fever, sore throat, sudden fatigue, loss of appetite, stiffness in arms and legs. A fussy baby suddenly became suspect. You hoped and prayed for it to be teething or just the common cold.

Then if it spread into the second phase: neck or back stiffness, sensitivity to touch and muscle weakness meant it was time to head for the nearest hospital or doctor's office.

My sister Mickie was born in 1948 and in late September of 1950 she became one of Midland's child victims of Polio. My mom told me that she had become irritable, had a slight fever, was fussy, didn't want to eat - not even a three-minute egg. Her favorite food. She took her to the Doctor and asked could it be the dreaded disease? The Doctor said he felt it was just teething or a cold. 

A few days later, Mom went to get her from her crib and her left arm hung lifeless and she couldn't stand on her one leg. Taking her to the Emergency Room on October 9, 1950, she was diagnosed with Polio.  The nearest clinic was in Saginaw. But an acquaintance of our dad's said to not go there. Take her further south. 

So, they made an extremely hard choice to take her to Sister Kenny's Polio Clinic in Pontiac, Michigan. Today, it is the Pontiac General Hospital. Sister Elizabeth Kenny promoted the use of hot, moist wool or flannel wraps, retraining damaged muscles and whirlpool baths. Previously, the standard treatment was to use casts and immobilization.

There were other circumstances to be thought about. There was an older sister to be considered. There was only one car, and Mickie would have to be left there. Without mom or dad or anyone familiar. How would she react? As a mother how do you drive away? Knowing it would be days or weeks before you would get back to visit. Back then the trip would have taken about 2 1/2 hours to travel the 103 miles as there wasn't the highway system we know today. They left the next day, October 10th (dad's birthday) for Pontiac.

Mickie was able to come home for Christmas for a few days but had to be taken back to the clinic. A decision that would allow her to finish her therapy sessions. Finally, in February 1951 she was able to come home for good. She had a long road ahead of her still. Physical therapy would continue locally, she had a leg brace and had to learn to be right-handed. She had tended to be left-handed when she became sick. 

September 1952

Midland Hospital

Mom made another hard choice to make sure that Mickie would be able to navigate the world around her. She was treated the same as the rest of us sisters. She washed and dried dishes, swept the floor (she tucked the handle of the broom under her chin), learned to iron and play tennis and even mastered bowling. Marriage, family, jobs were all a part of her life. Today she is happily retired.

My mom was a special person. When asked how she had handled all of the trials and worries during that time she said, 'I didn't do anything out of the ordinary - we just dealt with it'.

Barbie