Polio did not define me – a survivor’s story

Polio survivors grew up knowing that there is no cure for this crippling disease.

Local businesswoman, hairstylist Marianna van der Linden, was someone who contracted the disease at a young age, and was still able to live a full and meaningful life.

Others were not so fortunate.

Here’s her story, in her own words.

“I was born in Johannesburg in 1950, a second child.

From what my mom told me I was three years old when I got sick.

They were house-sitting for people who were on holiday at the time.

It all started with a fever that wouldn’t come down.

She realised something was really wrong when she put me on the potty and I just fell over.

Doctors still did house calls at that time and after a diagnosis of polio, I was transferred to the fever hospital and the house was placed under quarantine, much to the dismay of the owners.

I must have turned three in hospital because I can remember my parents and family coming to see me – behind a window.

It became like my home because I had to have water therapy and I stayed there for six months.

They suggested I go to The Hope Home where they could give me more therapy.

My mom said when they got there the mattresses had no sheets and it did not look like a good proposition, so I went home – and met my new baby sister.

My one leg was affected, that is when the muscles become permanently paralysed.

My leg and foot turned backwards and the only way to keep it straight was with a caliper – a boot with an iron rod support with straps around the leg.

The growth of the leg was affected. I was not allowed to walk without the caliper and that caused a lot of crying.

You learn to live with it but you never accept it.

At the age of nine I had a very successful operation.

Doctors actually shortened the tendons and that pulled the foot forward.

I can remember it being very painful.

But I was lucky. While I was in hospital (Johannesburg Children’s Hospital) a girl came in who was so badly affected by the virus that her whole body was lame.

She could not breathe on her own and had to lie in a huge machine that made a lot of noise – an iron lung – but it helped her breathe.

She cried a lot and all I could see was her beautiful blonde hair. Sadly, she died.

Eventually I could leave the hospital with a plaster cast on the leg.

I crawled around on my hands and knees for a long time and the cast had to be replaced every now and then.

Unfortunately, I missed a lot of school.

Eventually the big day came when the cast was removed and I could walk with a boot only.

At school I was given the nickname ‘Hop Along Cassidy’.

Of course, I hated it, but I had a lot of confidence and did not let it affect me.

I made the basketball team and I was responsible for a lot going on in school so that by the end of grade 7 I was presented with a certificate for leadership.

In high school the children did not bother me at all. Also, I was not the only polio victim in school, there were a few.

Later on I became a ladies’ hair stylist.

I married a very handsome man and had five healthy children.

Now in my golden years, I still feel the effects of what I experienced and of course the usual aches and pains that come with advancing years.

I would strongly advise parents to have their children immunised.

It can only prevent a lot of heartache.

Once you get it you can never say how bad it is going to be and it can steal a great deal of your childhood.”

By Marianna van der Linden (nee Fourie)

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