The Valley, Anguilla – February 24, 2014 – A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as US 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After an international investment of more than US$9 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the 21st century to be eradicated.
The message to world leaders is clear: support the final push to achieve eradication now while the goal has never been closer, or face the potential consequences of a new polio pandemic that could disable millions of children within a decade.
Since 1985, Rotary has contributed nearly $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. The disease remains endemic in three countries — Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan — although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.
Throughout the India and around the world, Rotary is celebrating a major milestone: it has been three years since India’s last case of wild polio. This is a landmark achievement for global public health and the worldwide effort to eradicate polio.
Closer to home, the last cases identified in the Caribbean area were in Haiti/Dominican Republic in 1991. Before a Caribbean vaccination drive, estimated deaths in Latin America/Caribbean in the 1970s totaled c. 15,000 cases and 1,750 deaths per annum.
Rebecca Low, Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 7020 which includes Anguilla said “given the confirmation of cases in previously polio-free Syria, it means that we need to be ever more vigilant in our work both locally and abroad.” Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee chair Robert S. Scott, further states, that this serves “as a stark reminder that as long as polio still exists, unimmunized children everywhere remain at risk.” In response to the outbreak in Syria, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, along with local health authorities, are conducting large-scale campaigns to immunize children in the region as quickly as possible. Rotary is the first donor to announce funding to WHO for the GPEI’s new Middle East strategic plan a $500,000 emergency response grant for Syria.
In Anguilla the Rotary Club is working to raise funds for Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign. Initiatives are ongoing and have included such things as a Radio talk show and Raffles..
Join with concerned Rotarians and help to eradicate polio in our lifetime. With global travel nowadays, it can be easily transmitted across national borders, or across the globe, as has already happened with wild outbreaks in several world areas.
Here are stories of three Polio Survivors in Anguilla.
STEVE HODGE
Steve Hodge is now in his late 50’s. His parents lived in England for years. Steve was born there. He came to Anguilla at a very early age. When he was around eight (8) years he contacted polio. As a result he is paralyzed from his waist down. In spite of that Steve learnt to move about on his own. He walked by crawling with the aid of rubber tied under his knees down to his shins. That way, he did not hurt himself. His family did not have a car and so Steve had to get himself to school and back every day.
Steve has always been an independent person and a happy one. When people turned around to watch him moving about, sometimes he stood still until they got tired of watching and he moved on. Sometimes he did not bother and he would continue on his way to wherever he wanted to go.
When he was about fifteen (15) years he went to England and received some therapy. He returned to Anguilla later and with the help of crutches he was more mobile and much more capable of taking care of himself.
Presently, Steve is the owner/operator of a successful bar and nightclub called “Squark”. He has his own house and is now married to a very attractive woman. He has no children but he is happy with his life. He travels to Canada and to many of the Caribbean islands. He will tell you that he follows the political scenes in Anguilla and internationally as well. To conclude, Steve is a well rounded person. He is a successful polio survivor!
THEODORE ROGERS
Theodore Rogers better known as Teddy is in his mid sixties (60). He contacted polio in while he was a baby. The dreadful disease left him with some deformity in his hands and legs. Fortunately, he was not totally paralyzed. He was able to walk very awkwardly but he was able to get around.
He attended the Valley Boy’s School but did not go to high school. In spite of his situation, Teddy would walk down to the Tailor shop next to the Valley Secondary School so that he could see the girls as they passed to and from school. He would go home at lunch time just like the school children and return to the tailor shop until late in the evening when he returned home for the night. He said that for sure he remembered Anne Edwards on her little bike.
He has many friends – Howard now called Iwandai is one of his closest friends from his youth. Teddy’s mother lives in Boston and he says she does not leave him lack for anything. He did not want to go to America. Instead, she built him a simple, small house and pays for a his cousin, Marvin Proctor to look after him. He said that the Government of Anguilla also looks after him. He is happy and quite content with his life. However, as he ages, it is now difficult for him to walk on his own. What he finds fantastic he says, is that he is approaching the three score and ten years that the bible talks about, being the life span of mankind. He is very thankful for his life.
ROSEMAY ROGERS
Rosemary is now fifty one (51) years of age and she is a polio survivor. She contacted polio when she was three (3) months old. Due to her family care and ability to seek medical care overseas, she feels that was responsible for her survival. She is paralysed from her waist down.
Rosemary attended Pastor Googe’s school in East End and the Valley Primary School. She loves to read – some of which are religious and some magazines. She corresponds with some of her friends who are overseas. To pass the time at home, she listens to the radio or she looks at TV.
Rosemary shares in activities at home and she works at the family business one day a week. She used to go to the Supermarket on her own but recently, her caretaker pushes her there in her wheelchair. She cooks for herself, mops and sweeps the floor and combs her own hair. She dresses herself daily and moves about the house making herself useful.
Rosemary is interested in craft work. She used to make rugs from cloth but recently, she is unable to get the type of backing needed and so she was unable to continue that hobby.
Some of Rosemary’s family are in Canada. She has been to Canada several times and has lived there for over a year at one time. Her sister, Cheryl Rogers Franklyn is a nurse in Canada and she lived with her when she was in Canada. She has been given some therapy in Canada and was taught some life skills.
She does not get sick really, only the flue at times. Rosemary is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She also attends some other churches, if her friends invite her, which is often. Some friends also take her driving at times.
Her mom, Mrs. Mary Rogers was a famous photographer. Her Dad, Atkin Rogers was also famous for his photography work on island as well as in St. Thomas. Her brothers also did some work in photography, but Roy, took up where her Mom and Dad left off. He has a photography studio which she used to help him at times.
In speaking about her Mom, Rosemary became very sad. She said she misses her Mom a lota as ita was only the two of them at home in the latter years. In closing she asked when Rotary will be celebrating World Polio Day again as she hopes to attend again this year.
If you are interested in learning more about Rotary contact any Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Anguilla.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
