Polio Heroes of Tennessee

Polio Support

Polio Heroes Logo

Polio Heroes of Tennessee is a free resource and information support group for Polio survivors, their families and health care providers in the State of Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.


Click here for the Polio Heroes of Tennessee 2021 Spring Newsletter

Polio Heroes of Tennessee Survey conducted by Nickie Lancaster April 2021


Click here for the Polio Heroes of Tennessee 2020 Fall Newsletter


Click here for the Polio Heroes of Tennessee 2020 Spring Newsletter


Congratulations Nickie on Being Awarded the 2017 Buddy Killen Memorial Volunteer Service Award Winner

Click here for a quick reference guide to some of the symptoms that Polio survivors face daily, as well as, an anesthesia warning that should be regarded also.

Understanding Post Polio Syndrome

There are 1.63 million polio survivors in the United States: as many as 75 percent of whom will experience loss of strength or other post-polio symptoms. Research to determine what may cause some polio survivors to weaken and develop new medical problems continues.

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after they've recovered from their initial bout with the disease. An interval of 30 to 40 years usually lapses before the first PPS symptoms occur,but intervals as short as eight years and as long as 71 years have been documented. Modern rehabilitation may restore individuals with post-polio to their regular level of functioning; it may also require that they return to or begin using braces, crutches, canes, wheelchairs and a variety of adaptive equipment.

New weakness is the general symptom of PPS. Muscle strength decreases when the nerve supply to the muscle is reduced. Symptoms can appear in the muscles that were affected at the time polio was contracted or in previously unaffected areas. Most new pain problems in polio survivors result from repetitive strain injuries to weakened muscle fibers and muscular tissues.

Powered by Blackbaud
nonprofit software