Charity Spotlight: Polio Survivors Ireland
Who we are
Polio Survivors Ireland is the only organisation providing practical support to those
unfortunate enough to have contracted polio when babies or young children. Our
membership is in the majority older polio survivors, although we also have a growing
number of survivors who have immigrated from countries where polio has been
endemic.
What is Polio/Post Polio Syndrome
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children
under 5 years of age. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly
through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g.
contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade
the nervous system and cause paralysis.
Although polio is eradicated from Ireland and much of the world, in fact as many as
5,000 polio survivors are living in Ireland with disabilities from this disease. Their
condition is known as Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), or, Late Effects of Polio.
What Polio Survivors Ireland do
Polio is gone from Ireland, but the legacy of polio is the ongoing support and help
required by polio survivors.
Our mission is to create awareness and provide information regarding the late
effects of polio among polio survivors, statutory agencies and the wider medical
profession, and to ensure that the needs of polio survivors relating to their condition
are met to enable them to live with dignity.
What we are doing
We are the only charity providing support such as callipers, wheelchairs, scooters,
specialised footwear, physiotherapy and chiropody and counselling.
Fundraising and donations enable us to provide our essential supports and services
for polio survivors, such as our heating grant, which can be the difference between a
survivor choosing between food and heat.
Contact details are
Instagram: @poliosurvivorsireland
Twitter: @PolioIreland
Helpline: 01 889 89 20
Email: cfa@polio.ie
Web: www.polio.ie
CRA No. 20030926.