South Eastern Region Polio Support Group committee members Maureen Wright and Ly Duong with (front) president Lyn Bates are urging parents to immunise their children against the so-called forgotten disease.
By Shaun Inguanzo
PARENTS are placing their children’s lives at risk by failing to vaccinate them against polio, according to past sufferers.
Australia’s polio-free status does not ease the mind of Noble Park’s Lyn Bates.
Ms Bates is reminded every day of the debilitating effects of the polio virus after she suffered an infection in 1952.
The virus led to a breakdown of her motorneuron cells and the 60-year-old is now confined to a wheelchair.
But Ms Bates, president of the South Eastern Region Polio Support Group, is mustering her remaining strength to warn parents of the risks of not vaccinating their children.
Polio was still an epidemic in many African and Asian countries, including Nigeria and Australian neighbour Indonesia, Ms Bates said.
“This is why in Australia we are still pushing young mums to get their children vaccinated,” she said.
“All it takes is someone to enter Australia carrying the virus and then there could be a break-out again.
“I wouldn’t want their children to be paralysed like I am.”
The South Eastern Region Polio Support Group is this month celebrating its 15th year providing support to the region’s polio sufferers.
It hopes to encourage parents who haven’t had their children vaccinated to do so.
The group will hold its 15th birthday celebrations on Saturday, 14 October at Urimbirra Support, 49-51 Callendar Road, Noble Park.
