So today, on World Polio Day, the community is being encouraged to lend its support to a worldwide Rotary project, PolioPlus, to ensure the disease becomes history. 

For Wagga polio suffers like Frank McCormack, Isabelle Thompson and Jean Magennis, the work of Rotary means the world is saving people from going through what they have. 

“It’s wonderful the impact they’ve made because there are still people out there with it,” Ms Magennis said. 

“I got it in 1950 when I was 13 years old. I was one of a few in Henty who had it at the time – there was a four-year-old and a 40-year-old man too.

“I have been paralysed from the waist down, but everyone with it is different. No one has the same problems as you.”

Polio is a crippling disease caused by a virus.

One in 200 cases results in paralysis, which leads to the limbs of a victim becoming limp and disfigured. 

The paralysis is almost always irreversible.

While there is no cure, it can be prevented through immunisation, which Ms Magennis encouraged everyone to have. 

Yesterday, the combined Rotary groups of Wagga met with community leaders including Mayor Rod Kendall, acting Superintendent of Wagga Police Rod Smith, Miss Wagga Tracey Coleman, Grant Luhrs and editor of The Daily Advertiser Paul McLoughlin inviting them to learn and share Rotary’s quest to eradicate polio with the community. 

Mr Luhrs said he was blown away by the efforts Rotary have made worldwide and is now keen to spread word about the program. 

“I didn’t realise that it has been such a long time project for Rotary to be involved in,” he said. 

“In that time the figures of polio suffers has gone from 350,000 to 223 and even less now. 

“It’s a sign for me that we shouldn’t be complacent now, but keep on going until it’s gone.”

Wagga Rotary District 9700 PolioPlus co-ordinator Graeme Callander said the community is able to contribute to the program. All they need to do is talk to a Rotary member. 

Support for polio 

A Wagga polio support group meets bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. 

The next meeting will be held at the Senior Citizens Hall on November 13.

For more information contact Isabel Thompson on 6926 2459.