Polio Place

In the fall of 1950, as part of a story about the ongoing polio cases in the community, the Aberdeen Daily News published a photo of me in a Hubbard tank.

The warm pulsating jets of water and the ability to move my legs in ways I could not on land felt great! Time in the Hubbard tank was also a nice break from being wrapped in the smelly hot wool blanket “hot packs” used for the rest of the day.

Later in my childhood I spent many enjoyable hours playing, splashing and turning somersaults, sometimes up to 3-4 hours per day, in a swimming pool. Nearly 60 years later, I still delight in the joy and freedom of movement that my body has in water. I feel graceful and my movements are nearly effortless in water. I can “play” and get in touch with my inner-child.