Polio Place

Being a mom is the one of the most wonderful life experiences I have had. It remains my joy. Having polio at age 2 did not prevent me from cherishing that experience. I had a normal, healthy pregnancy. I was able to carry that tiny baby before and after he was born, even though the metal leg brace I wore weighed almost as much as he did at birth.

My son has grown into a fine and outstanding young man (now in his twenties and working and living in another state). I was able to have a full-time career, which allowed me to help send him to college. If you asked him if he thought his mother was different from any of the other mom, he would laugh and say, “No, all the other moms made sure their kids did their homework, cleaned their rooms and helped with grocery shopping and cleaning the house.”

Did I find it sometimes challenging at the end of the day? Yes, sometimes.
But, my son gave me all the love and energy that refreshes mothers all over the world, every day.

Pictured here on the side steps of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home in Virginia, Christopher and I trekked all over the Washington, DC, area. I even climbed the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial because on that particular day the one lone elevator was out of service.

Today, I have a chair lift that glides me up and down the stairs at home to do laundry. My husband and I have made our home accessible to accommodate my post-polio syndrome.

But my son still bounds up the stairs, laughing, for a hug when he comes home for weekend visits.