Truly our greatest blessing is being born in the United States of America and too often we take for granted our incredible country and the lifestyle it provides. In my lifetime, I have never known anyone who was struck by Polio. Being vaccinated in first grade was a requirement due to the virus being spread so easily and the magnitude of this devastating virus.
The polio virus attacks cells in the spinal cord and brain stem that control muscle movement, thus resulting in paralysis in parts of or all the body. Its main victims are children under six years of age. Many polio deaths were caused by the immobilization of breathing muscles.
Polio reached its peak globally in 1945 with over half a million people dying or being paralyzed and in 1951, America reported over 21,000 cases.
In 1979, Rotary made the eradication of Polio its number one humanitarian project. Since Rotary and our partners formed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, the number of Polio cases caused by wild poliovirus have decreased by 99.9%. However, it has been calculated that if Rotary were to discontinue its efforts, there would be an increase of over a quarter of a million cases in twelve months.
Being born in America has been a tremendous blessing.
Never knowing a Polio victim has also been a blessing.
Joining Rotary has been a wonderful blessing.
Supporting Rotary’s goal of eradicating Polio has been another incredible blessing and together we can accomplish this goal. An old African Proverb says, if you want to go now, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Let’s all go together and eradicate Polio.
Service Above Self,
Pamela Walters
