polio support - PolioNet

polio

Where Can I Find a Polio Support Group?

Polio Experience Network home page

“P.E.N. & ink” newsletter

? What is post-polio syndrome?

Our Own Stories

Students – For your research paper

Futures Unlimited, Inc. “Hope for the future.”

Meeting s for your support group

Where Can I Find a Support Group?

Links: Polio People and Places on the Internet

Mail-out library

PolioVaccine

Conferences and other Announcements

– home of “Air Travel Tips for the Wheelchair or Scooter User”

Polio Outreach of Spokane

In…

Canada
International
United States (and territories)

Obviously, we don’t have a complete list – yet. Probably never will, as more keep being added all the time (nice problem). But we’re also still newly gathering information. Keep checking back. Next time we may have something for the area you are wondering about, if we don’t yet. Don’t forget to browse the “Links to Organizational (mostly) Websites” page. Various local groups have Websites listed there.

Table of Contents

Canada

Alberta:

Try contacting the Wildrose Polio Support Society (Northern Alberta) through this email address. Also, see their Website.

British Columbia:

The Provincial post-polio organization is called Post Polio Awareness & Support Society of British Columiba, or PPASS.

Ontario:

Ontario March of Dimes sponsors 20 post-polio support groups throughout Ontario. Contact Kim Sialtsis, Post Polio Coordinator. The online PoliOntario newsletter can be downloaded. Specific chapters include:

Durham Chapter – meeting in the John Jenkins Room, Police Services Building, 77 Center Street, Oshawa. Contact: Allan 905-728-4203

Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter – Melrose United Church, Locke & Stanley Streets, Hamilton. Contact: Jo-Ann, Ontario March of Dimes, 905-528-9432

London and Area Chapter – Kiwanis Senior Centre on Riverside Drive at Wharncliffe. Contact: Joan

Sudbury Chapter- Ontario March of Dimes Office, 4th Floor, 31 Larch Street, Sudbury. Contact: Donna 705-566-5672

Thunder Bay and District Chapter – 55-Plus Centre, 700 River St., Thunder Bay. Contact: Cheryl Anderson, Ontario March of Dimes (807) 345-6595.

Toronto/Peel Chapter – Ontario March of Dimes Provincial Office, 10 Overlea Blvd. ,Toronto, ON M4H 1A4. Contact Jeannette .

Waterloo Region Chapter – Waterloo Adult Recreation Center, 185 King St. South (corner of Allen & King). Contact: Mary at 519-578-3099 or Dave, 519-885-6227

Windsor & Area Chapter – Windsor Office of Community Living, 7025 Enterprise Way, Windsor. Contact: Marleen 519-735-6971

Australia:

New South Wales:

There are several support groups in New South Wales, including groups in: ACT (pearce), Albury, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Cowra, Grafton, Hawkesbury, Hunter Area, Lower South Coast, Northern Inland, Northern Rivers, Nyngan, Shoalhaven Heads, Upper Blue Mountains, Wellington, Wollongong; and in the Sydney Metropolitan area: Blacktown/Blue Mountains (Kingswood), Fairfield, Hornsby and Manly Penninsula — to name just a few!! To find specific contact information for these groups and to enquire about groups in other areas, see the Post-Polio Network – NSW Website.

Also see information about other groups of the Australian Post Polio Support Network. (Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.)

Queensland:

Post-Polio Support Network Contact: Ms Penny Beeston Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Queensland Inc.P.O Box 5651, Westend, Queensland 4101 (07) 3391 2044

South Australia:

Post-Polio Support Group of SA – Neurological Resource Centre 23a King William Road, Unley, South Australia 5061 (08) 8357 8909

Tasmania:

For information about support groups in Tasmania, see the info on the Website of Post-Polio Network – Tasmania.

Victoria:

Mornington Peninsula Post-Polio Support Group – Melbourne, Victoria

There is a group in Mt. Martha, Victoria. Contact Dennis.

For information about other groups or post-polio meetings in Victoria, see the area-wide Website.

Western Australia:

Post-Polio Network of WA Contact Ms Tessa Jupp P.O Box 257, Subiaco, Western Australia 6904 (08) 9383 9050 Website.

WAPP Support Group Bunbury Inc. Contact: Debbie Francis P.O. Box 1566, Bunbury, Western Australia 6230 (08) 9795 5934

Czech Republic

Asociace Polio ČR (For the English language version, see Polio Association of the Czech Republic.)

France:

Groupe Français de Liaison et D’Information Post-Polio

Ireland:

Post-Polio Support Group, Ireland is hoping to hold local Area Meetings throughout Ireland. To obtain current information, email info@ppsg.ie. Or contact them at Post Polio Support Group, Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Tel/Fax: +353 1 873 0338

Portugal

ASSOCIAÇÃO PÓS-PÓLIO DE PORTUGAL Largo do Colégio, 1-B

Apartado 2002 – 7001-901 ÉVORA

Telefone: 962 491 237 E-mail: gouvim@mail.telepac.pt

United States (and territories)

Back to Top

Alabama:

Mobile Area Post-Polio Support Group says, “Admission is FREE. Anyone from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi or anywhere else is invited!!” It meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the West Regional Branch – Mobile Public Library, 5555 Grelot Rd., Mobile, Alabama. Contact: by email or see their Website and online newsletter.

The South Baldwin Post-Polio Group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 3:00 p.m., at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, 1613 N. McKenzie St., Foley, Alabama. See their Website for more information, or phone 251-943-1975 or email.

Arizona:

Southern Arizona Post-Polio Support Group, P.0. Box 17556, Tucson, AZ 85731-7556

Ph: (520)-750-8608 “Est. 1985.” Also known as Polio Epic, general meetings are at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month at Healthsouth, 2650 N.Wyatt Dr., Tucson.

Polio Echo, Inc. — operating in the Phoenix area. Contact information can be found on the Website but it has not been updated since June 2001, so may no longer be valid. Try and see! Contact: Bill Way.

California:

The Antelope Valley Polio Survivors may be contacted through Facilitator John Shearer 661 943-3144 or Telephone Chairperson JoAnne Avila 661 943-3413. All meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at the Lancaster Senior Citizens Center, room 101. The Center location is 777 West Jackman Avenue (corner of Jackman and Fern), Lancaster. Meeting time is 10:00 a.m. until noon. Please use rear entrance.

The Fresno Post-Polio Support Group meets quarterly on Saturdays at San Joaquin Rehabilitation Hospital. It serves multiple valley counties in Central CA. Temporary contact: Linda Geist Reedley

See “the Southern California PPS Manager” on-line newsletter which includes meeting information for Riverside and San Diego counties.

For the Riverside County Self Help Group dates call: Rick Van Der Linden (909) 929-8208 or email.

Sacramento Post-Polio Support Group, 3510 Cheri Ct, Rocklin, CA 95677-2329 ph: 916/624-0448. Meetings First Saturday AM, Sept-June. Contact: Alice Basco

For the San Diego Polio Survivors, see their Website or contact Rick Kneeshaw, Facilitator, San Diego Polio Survivors 858-566-4016 or e-mail.

For East San Diego PPSG – now meeting on the last Saturday of every month at the El Cajon Library from 2 to 4 PM. Call Sammy D at (619)464-5364. For both San Diego groups and for others, email.

San Francisco Bay Area Polio Support Group, P.O. Box 968, Danville, CA 94526 Contact: Phyllis Hartke, president 1999-2000.

Connecticut:

The Polio Outreach of Connecticut
President Linda Wheeler Donahue. E-mail welcome at PolioOutreach@aol.com and/or at LinOnnLine@aol.com
Address: 75 Tallwood Road, Southbury, CT 06488

Delaware

Florida:

Penscacola Post-Polio Support Group Meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. – Baptist Towers – Medical Rooms, 1717 North E and Avery Streets, Pensacola. See meeting notes and other information at their Website. For information call 850-944-5834 or e-mail.

Information about the Florida East coast PPS Support Group can be found by emailing them. You can read meeting notices in their online newsletters at their Website.

North Central Florida PP Support Group meets at TimberRidge Medical Park, Building 300, Suite 303, 9401 SW Highway 200, Ocala. They have support group Website, an online newsletter and may also be contacted by email.

The PP Support Group of Brevard County: email

Sunshine Special Post Polio Support Group of Palm Beach County “is dedicated to the Special People who survived the effects of Polio and the Very Special People who have assisted them, care for them and love them throughout every day of their lives.” Contact information is available through their website.

To learn about the group in the West Palm Beach area, contact Maureen Henriksen.

Another group is called the Triad Post Polio Support Group. For more information, email.

The First Coast Post Polio Support Group may be reached by phoning Sue Bridges 904-992-3769.

For a list of other support groups in Florida: email

Georgia:

The Atlanta Post-Polio Association meets at 10:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month at the Shepherd Center on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. To learn more, see their Website or E-mail any board member.

The West Georgia PPS Support Group meets at the Roosevelt Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs Georgia in Roosevelt Hall on the third Saturday of the month at 10:00. Contact Arles Roberts, president, or Anne Gawne (706)655-5322.

Idaho:

Easter Seals lists these contacts for information about support groups:
…..Boise, ID (208) 378-9924 or (800) 374-1910 or email
…..Pocatello, ID (208) 233-6824 or (800) 554-7117 or email

Illinois

A Post-polio Support Group of Chicago meets at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 345 E. Superior the 4th Thurs of each month except Jan., Feb. and August. Contact: EarlSmith.

Indiana:

Central Indiana PPS Support Group (Website)
Contact: Marvin

Post-Polio Mutual Support Group of Southwestern Indiana
Contact: try calling (812) 421-2800 for more info. or maybe emailing

Iowa:

Janice Hawkins Iowa Polio Survivors Group 5326 East Oakwood Dr

Pleasant Hill, IA 50317-7124

515/263-1823

Beth Ann Sipma Baum-Harmon Memorial Hosp 255 N Welch Ave

Primghar, IA 51245

712/757-3905

Main:

The Post-Polio Support group of Maine meets annually, usually in September. For information, email.

Minnesota:

Post Polio Awareness & Support Society of Minnesota (PPASS MN) is now a full fledged 501 (C)(3) organization and has five chapters around the state as follows:

PPASS Brainerd/Baxter – 1st Monday of the month April through December. Contact person is Bob Jensen rmjensen@brainerd.net, (218) 746-4498
PPASS Owatonna – 3rd Thursday of the month year round. Contact person is Dick Baumer dblsi@charter.net, (507) 446-0194
PPASS St. Cloud – 2nd Friday of the Month April through December. Contact state organization for information. Larry Kohout lkohout@mn.rr.com (952) 835-9714
PPASS Twin Ports – 3rd Monday of every month. Contact person is Leo Plewa fplewa@msn.com (218) 729-9635
PPASS West Metro (Twin Cities) – 2nd Monday every month. Contact person is Larry Kohout lkohout@mn.rr.com (952) 835-9714

Montana:

Jack Schwartz passes on this information:

As of August 1997, I had information on these Easter Seal Support Group contacts in Montana:

Myrna Buff …………………….Sue Englert ……………………….Mindy Vaughn
211 10th Street ……………….Missoula Community ………….Northern Rocky Mountain
Belgrade MT 59714 ………. .Medical Center …………………Easter Seal Society
406-388-1711 ………………..2827 Fort Missoula Road…….Great Falls MT 59405
……………………………………..Missoula MT 59801……………406-771-3764.
……………………………………..406-728-4100 ext. 5070 ……. William Smithers 203 Lakeshore Drive

Kalispell MT 59901

406-755-3136 In the recent past there was also an Easter Seals post-polio support group in Billings MT. If it is still functioning, I think you can find out by contacting: Dr. Patricia LaHaie, Director Post Polio Clinic St. Vincent Hospital P.O. Box 32500

Billings MT 59107

406-657-7078 Note that there is a post-polio clinic in Billings. I believe it is the only one in Montana. Also, an excellent PPS newsletter is published by NRMES in Great Falls. “Post-Polio Support Network” – Subscription $5/yr. Send remittance to:

…………..Easter Seals, ATTN: Sharon Eller

…………..4400 Central Avenue
…………..Great Falls MT 59405
(Note: For $10, a “Membership” is obtained that includes the newsletter for one year, name recognition in the newsletter, and a complimentary copy of “The Late Effects of Poliomyelitis” by Dr. Frederick L. Maynard.)

New Jersey:

For information about the Monmouth County support group, contact LeeAllan or see their Website.

New York:

The West New York Polio Survivors Group meets at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 900 Maryvale Drive at Union Road. For date and time, phone the church. See also their online newsletter.

North Carolina:

Contact the Post Polio Support Group of the High Country Inc. President and founder: Kathryn Pennell P.O. Box 144 Deep Gap, NC 28618 Phone: 336-877-1154 Fax: 336-526-5495

Email: HighCountryPPSG@aol.com

Oregon

Southern Oregon Post Polio Support Group meetings are at 1:00 the 2nd Wednesday of the month. They are scheduled for 2 hours. The location is the church on the corner of Black Oak and Barnett (the Southwest corner of the Rogue Valley Hospital property). (Medford) Contact: Ron Foster, President 541-734-2580 or Dave York phone 541-621-3672.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia area:
Delaware Valley Polio Survivors Association 215-481-2000
Einstein Post-Polio Support Program 215-456-3872

Texas

DAPPA, Dallas Area Post Polio Post Polio Assoc. c/o Anita Hickey 418 Rolando Dr. Garland, TX 75040-8337 ph.972-438-1460; 214-220-9322. Contact: Joyce Cogburn

Texas Polio Survivors Association in Houston. Try phoning “information”?

Longview – Contact: Mary Ellen

Utah

Lou, founder of Southern Utah Post-Polio Support says, “We cover a large geographical area which includes Washington, Kane, Iron & Beaver counties. We meet 4 times a year, January, April, July & October, on the 3d Saturday of the month at 10:30 AM. Meeting is held at 216 W. St. George Blvd. St George, UT 84770. I can be reached after 6 PM and week-ends at (435) 635-7476. For those unable to travel to the meetings but want the information packets provided at each meeting the annual fee is $15.00. This covers the cost of the materials and mailing. The $ should be mailed to me at 1410 S. 700 W. 152-16 Hurricane, UT 84737.”

Virginia:

Washington

The Bellingham Support Group meets the fourth Monday of every month at St. Joseph’s Hospital meeting rooms at 4:00 pm with dinner following for those who wish in the hospital cafeteria. Contact: Joan Fortune 360-738-0707.

Centralia/Chehalis Support Group meetings are temporarily suspended. Contact: Beth MacCannell, 360-736-7339.

The Tri-State Polio Pals Support Group (Clarkston) meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1-3 p.m. at the Tri-State Hospital in Clarkston. Contact: Jim Huetson 509-751-1201.

Everett Support Group – Meets the second Saturday of every month in the Monte Cristo Room (right across hall from cafeteria) at Providence Hospital, Everett from 1:00-3:00pm. Contact: Rhonda Whitehead 425-488-0219 or Soni Crunkilton 425-267-0597.

Kitsap County Mobility Support Group – Contact: Lee Parker 360-779-9091.

The Olympia Support Group meets the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 am till noon. Contact: Ursula Schmidt 360-456-8097.

Renton/Valley Post Polio Support Group – Meets the third Saturday of every month from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the NW Pavilion (rehab) building. The Medical Arts Building; Valley General Hospital complex in Renton. Contact: Mimi Sangder 206-725-8937 or Florene Yeager 206-772-5834.

Seattle Support Group: call Carl Larson 206-789-4546 for information on future meetings.

The Sequim Support Group meets the first Monday of each month, 1:30 p.m. at the Sequim library, 800 Seqium-Dungeness Way. Contact: Elizabeth Sump, 360-681-2181.

There is no longer a support group in Spokane, but please feel free to contact any of the following people with your questions. Sharman Collins, Elinor Young, Darlene Hansen or Dave Graham.

Tacoma Support Group – Meets the first Monday of each month 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the TACID Building, 6315 S 19th, Tacoma. Contact: Darlene Brown 206-884-5696 or Linda McCallum 253-564-2767.

The Tri-Cities Support Group meets the third Saturday of every other month, 10:00 a.m. at the Neurological Center, Gribble and Gilmore in Richland. Contact: Norma Peters, 509-946-5485.

Vancouver Polio Outreach. Contact Susie Koeser 360-574-4523 or Stan Nelson 360-695-9628 about monthly socials.

Wenatchee Polio Outreach of North Central Washington – Meets the third Saturday of every month at Smitty’s Restaurant on N. Wenatchee Ave. at noon for a no-host lunch. Contact: Don Hinman 509-884-5517 or Lucy Halleck 509-663-9526.

The Lower Yakima Valley Support Group meets the third Saturday of even numbered months at 1:00 p.m. at Sunnyside Hospital. Contact: Rona Nelson 509-452-9543 or Jack Van Horn 509-882-4402.

The Yakima Valley Polio Network meets the third Saturday of odd numbered months at 1:00 p.m. at United Way, 116 S. 4th Street, Yakima. Contact: Rona Nelson 509-452-9543 or Susan Harter 509-435-1837.

Wisconsin:

Michael Odle V.P. & Internet Coordinator

Post-Polio Resource Group of

Southeastern Wisconsin
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/4760/
pprg@geocities.com