North Arkansas Polio Support Group

E-mail address: rdennis@centurytel.net

Person furnishing information to UCRC: Dennis Williams

Physical address: 343 Wildoak Lane, Mountain Home, AR
Mailing address: 343 Wildoak Lane
City: Mountain Home
State: AR
Zip: 72653-6921

Hours of operation: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
After hours services: Yes

Day(s) open:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Handicap accessible: Yes

Cost of services: No charge

Geographic area served: Baxter County and northern Arkansas

Categories:
Health

Description of the organization service(s):
The Mountain Home Polio Support Group was started in 1995 by local people who have had polio in their youth. Now with thirty to forty years since the outbreak, polio is returning to ravage our bodies.

Post Polio Syndrome affects approximately 90% of the survivors. Muscles that were built up to make up for the loss from polio are now failing. Some are returning to the wheel chairs they gave up years ago and some are going back to crutches. Body limbs that were braced are now being fitted again.

Our support group offers support and education to those in need, and also serves to educate the local medical community. Many doctors in practice now do not know about polio and its late effects. Our group has a CD on Post Polio Syndrome, information on car accessories for the disabled, a doctor's list of qualified people who know about this syndrome, and many other topics for the disabled.

Our group meets once a month in the spring, summer, and fall to share information on daily living experiences. We are not victims, we are survivors. At our meetings, we try to have a qualified speaker well versed in health care or other topics that we are covering. All are welcome to attend.

St. Peter's lower meeting room at the church is handicap accessible.