MORE than 4,000 polio sufferers in Ireland may develop post-polio syndrome in the next two decades, according to a support group lobbying for grants from the Department of Health.
The Post Polio Support Group met the Minister of State for Health, Mr Brian O'Shea, at Leinster House last night. The meeting was organised by the chairman of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, Mr Michael Ferris TD.
The group's secretary, Ms Joan Bradley, says that 40 to 60 per cent of people who had polio as children may suffer symptoms of the original polio in middle age.
The group estimates there are around 9,000 people with polio, although there are no official figures available. "Around 4,200 of these might develop post polio syndrome," according to Ms Bradley. The group has around 150 members.
The problems relate to the replacement of original nerve tissue destroyed by the disease, Ms Bradley says. The replacement tissue tended to be less resilient as polio sufferers grew older. "You suffer fatigue, pain and loss of ability and people who may never have needed things like calipers have to get them," she says.
"We are looking for some sort of financial help. We're suggesting that a trust fund be set up."
It is estimated that about £2 million would be needed in the first five years.
"Most polio sufferers got into employment against terrible odds and they are in jobs that don't pay enough to cover their medical costs," she says.
She explained she had developed the syndrome in recent years. It was through an international journal that she diagnosed her symptoms. Having survived childhood polio with a limp, she now uses two calipers, crutches and a wheelchair occasionally.
The group estimates there will be 186 new cases of the syndrome every year over the next five years.
