ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS HAVE ENDORSED AS AN ACCEPTED CLINICAL RESOURCE FOR THE LATE EFFECTS OF POLIO “A GUIDE TO THE MANAGEMENT FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS”.
Spinal Life Australia through Ross Duncan Executive Manager Member Services and his dedication to research, resources and references has developed a friendly user booklet to guide the Medical Care Professionals as a tool to understand and implement care and knowledge during medical treatment for Polio Survivors. Bribie Island has been instrumental in supporting Spinal Life Australia through their Peer Support Group covering the Island and surrounds. The World Health Organisation estimates that there are some 20 Million people worldwide currently living with some degree of disability caused by poliomyelitis (1). Not all Polio survivors were diagnosed with paralytic polio, however some 99% of all polio survivors may have experienced sub-clinical damage that becomes more evident with age. The late effects of polio are a neuromuscular condition that can occur in a high percentage of people with prior exposure to polio In Australia it is estimated that there are tens of thousands of polio survivors. International surveys indicate that there is up to 80% prevalence in the late effects of polio in polio survivors.
Many survivors of polio may have little or no visible disability however this may not influence the medical conditions of the late effects of polio and are often misdiagnosed or a condition that is the onset of age. This booklet is going to make a difference in the education of all communities and will recognise the management of the late effects of polio has on the human body. The Spinal Life Australia Peer Support Group get together every second month to chat and have an awareness of the future direction not only of polio but Spinal Cord Injury, Transfers Myelitis, or disability in all its diversity. Anyone wanting a copy of the booklet can telephone Spinal Life Australia or Bill Peacock. Everyone with a disability is most welcome to join Spinal Life Australia and join in;