Jill Pickering has very generously supported Polio Australia by donating funds towards our office operating costs in 2010 and 2011.

I contracted polio in 1955 living in England at 9 years of age. After qualifying as an Occupational Therapist (OT) in 1968 and working a few years in England I immigrated to Melbourne, Australia. I enjoyed the challenges of OT, but as Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) crept in around 1985 I gradually had to adapt my OT role to an office environment before retiring in 2000 due to PPS limitations.

I always remember, as many do, the confusion, feeling I was going mad and no one understanding what was happening to me – and the overwhelming relief when I was finally diagnosed with PPS by one of the very few ‘experts’ in Australia. After a few months adjusting to my new situation I found I could manage my symptoms better and still enjoy a satisfying life style mixing voluntary work with my other interests and that ‘pacing’ word.

My awareness of the uniqueness of post-polio issues and my fortunate retirement circumstances has enabled me to find practical ways to assist polios. I am proud to be a small part of Polio Australia’s gigantic step of faith in establishing a national focus “Polio Australia” and look forward to watching it evolve for the benefit of all polios in Australia.

To Polio Australia I say “keep up the good work that you have started”.


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