Rare Disabilities

Children affected by Polio:

Description:

Those affected by Poliomyelitis (Polio) may have paralysis of the arms, legs, muscle weakness, respiratory problems, joint and muscle pain and fatigue. The most visible effects of polio are usually permanent deformities and/or weakness in one or more lower limbs. In children infected under the age of 5, the most common effect of Polio is one limb that is weak and floppy.

Cause:

Poliomyelitis (Polio) which is a virus infection that is very dangerous and very contagious. Although it is now almost nonexistent in developed countries it still exists in countries like Kenya. The virus can infect the Central Nervous System which can destroy the motor neurons in the brain effects the muscles and can lead to weakness or paralysis. The way that polio effects a person infected is different in everyone and likely depends on how long a person is infected before it is able to be diagnosed and treated.

The way that the virus is spread is called the fecal-oral route which means that a person comes in contact (by way of ingestion) with feces.

A person could come in contact with feces in any of the following ways:

Water that has come in contact with feces and is not fully purified. This can happen when there is no access to sewage treatment systems.
Handling feces of people or animals without access to proper sanitation of the hands before preparing meals.

Treatment:

There is no cure for Polio or its effects, but there are ways to treat the symptoms of Polio.

The most common treatments are assistive aids for breathing such as a ventilator. For muscle weakness, physical therapy is suggested to increase the strength and flexibility of muscles and joints and to prevent muscle atrophy (decrease in muscle mass). The use of moist heat, or steam, with physical therapy can often help to stimulate the muscles to increase mobility. It is also believed that a very nutritious diet and plenty of Vitamin C can offset some of the symptoms of Polio.

Prevention:

The best method of prevention is a vaccination called inactive polio vaccine (IPV). Additionally, drinking only purified water will reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease.

Children with Polio CAN:

Think, feel, comprehend and be understood in the same ways as anyone else. A child affected by Polio can be educated in the same ways as other typically developing children and can contribute to their families and communities in the same way as other children!

Children with deformed or missing limbs:

Cause:
There are multiple causes for deformed or missing limbs. It can be genetic, non-genetic but present at birth or the result of an accident.


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