Hi, my name is Brenda and I am a polio survivor. I would like to share my story of how the Lord brought me through polio and now the late effects of Post-Polio Syndrome or PPS.

I was born August 2, 1944, started walking at 9-months of age, then was stricken with polio on September 15, 1945 at the age of 13-months. Like many other polio victims, all four of my limbs were completely paralyzed and I am told I could only move my eyeballs. I spent several months at the D. T. Watson Home for Crippled Children in Pittsburgh, PA and underwent extensive treatment and therapy using the Sister Kenny Program.

My childhood was spent in leg braces, sustaining many broken bones with casts, and of course many corrective orthopedic surgeries on both feet and legs requiring more casts. Every summer, there was a new surgery and another 3-months to endure a full-leg cast.

At age 14, while a sophomore in high school, a girlfriend invited me to attend a revival at her church and it was at that little country Baptist Church that I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior.

With the Lord's help and a lot of hard work, I was blessed to be able to graduate high school in 1961 at the age of 16. Even though I was offered a scholarship, I decided I had had enough of school and wanted to join the work force. During this time, I had progressed to orthopedic shoes only and walked with the use of a cane. The Lord gave me the strength I needed daily and I was able to continue working for 35-years as a Medical Secretary/Transcriptionist and I loved it!

In the 1980s, I noticed a beginning lack of energy and my endurance level was slowly decreasing. This was the first I had heard of PPS. Being diagnosed with PPS really put my faith in the Lord Jesus to the ultimate test. I was devastated! The thought of braces again and a wheelchair was overwhelming. I thought, why me again. Then I just prayed, "Lord, use this for your Glory". So with the Lord by my side, I was able to continue working until 1995, when I finally had to retire at age 51.

Along with all the orthopedic surgeries I've had because of the polio, I also had my appendix removed in 1961; gallbladder removed in 1971; and arthroscopic surgery to my right knee in 1985. Then in 1987 I was found to have an ovarian tumor that the doctors were 100% certain was cancer. Therefore had to undergo a total hysterectomy. The Lord brought me through that surgery and there was no cancer! My doctor told me out of the five cases he had that day in surgery, I was the only one without cancer. ANOTHER MIRACLE!

In 1988 I had to be life-flighted to a hospital in Pittsburgh, PA when they thought I had spinal meningitis. Tests proved I didn't - ANOTHER MIRACLE! In 1990 I was in a very serious automobile accident on my way to work and was trapped in my car for approximately forty-five minutes until they used the Jaws of Life to extricate me from my car. I had no serious injuries - ANOTHER MIRACLE! I was blessed with a wonderful family! My Mom and Dad were super and never treated me differently from my three older sisters. My three sisters married and blessed me with three nephews and three nieces. They in turn blessed me with nine great-nieces!

Never having married, it was only natural that after my Mom went home to be with the Lord in 1994, that I became the chief caretaker for my elderly father. Everyone, including my doctors and family were concerned that I could not care for Dad in my condition. By now, I was in a knee brace, still able to use my cane in the house, but was forced to use forearm crutches outside the house and had to purchase a wheelchair for shopping, etc. God's Grace is so sufficient and He is the source of my strength. That is the only explanation for how I am able to continue caring for my Dad who continues to have declining health daily.

In 1998, my physiatrist (Physical Therapy Doctor) told me I needed a total knee replacement due to severe osteoarthritis. Then my orthopedic surgeon told me it could not be done because I have no quadriceps muscle on the left side. In fact he said he didn't know how I could walk on that leg at all - ANOTHER MIRACLE! The Lord certainly deserves all the honor and glory for giving me the daily strength to care for my Dad and also just for doing my normal activities of daily living.

On April 19, 2000, my Dad went to his Heavenly Home to be with the Lord and my precious Mom. My parents are both greatly missed by all the family, but we all have that blessed hope of being reunited with them one day.

Four months after we buried my Dad, my sisters, nieces, best friend and I were in the process of having a huge yard sale. I was in the process of selling my house and then would move in with one of my sisters and her husband. Well, three days prior to the yard sale I fell and shattered my knee cap in three pieces. I underwent surgery with insertion of pins and wires. The orthopedic surgeon said it was like inserting pins in butter--the bones were that soft from the polio. Well, I spent 3-weeks in the hospital and the yard sale went on without me and was a huge success!

I had several months of physical therapy both in the home and then as an outpatient. The doctors were not sure I would be able to walk again with that leg being so weak; however, I am walking (though not as good as I would like) with forearm crutches. I can't walk long distances, but at least I am walking and for that I am so thankful. I have to use my wheelchair more when I go out now.

Thanks for listening to my story. Remember with the Lord, all things are possible and He gives us the strength and courage to continue daily. I don't know what tomorrow holds for me, but I certainly know the One who holds tomorrow and HE IS THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.