Thanks to all who commented here. Thanks for reading. And I encourage you to write or call Senators to stand against such an abomination of a nomination.
Mahalo /Thank you for sharing Bill ! I did not know you had battled polio 😮No matter what you have endured in your life it seems to have made you stronger , kinder and more compassionate than so many people I know who (sadly) when faced with trauma seem to want to cause trauma in other peoples lives but you always take the high road !
This latest affront to medical care and science by RFK and Trump’s team of the UNFIT is an attack on the well being of our society as a whole . We must continue to stand up and speak out and I thank you for your voice of reason .❤️
Bill..keep spreading your story, because it needs to be heard! I hope that McConnell, as much as I despise him, (and also had polio as a child) actually follows through on his promises with efforts to block this lunatic's attacks and appointment. 😞
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” is absolutely the right response. I have a friend who, like you, had polio when she was a child. Today, she has multiple health problems, including post-polio syndrome. Why anyone would want to return to the days when millions of people suffered from diseases that are now completely preventable - it’s beyond my comprehension.
I'm so sorry you had to suffer this awful disease, and glad you survived and thrived, Bill. It's a disgrace that you and other survivors must suffer this unconscionable attack on science, common sense, and public health. And the tangerine turd hasn't even taken office yet!
Bill, you and I were both 5 in 1952, and I remember the scourge of polio, and the life-saving vaccine that everyone got. I am glad to hear you beat the disease, and are healthy. And I share your outrage: I am an opponent of the death penalty but, as Denzel Washington's character, Robert McCall, in 'The Equalizer' says, the line I would like to deliver to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his attorney (who has forever changed the connotation of the Apple app) is "In your case, I'm going to make an exception."
I have come to the conclusion it is an attitude Americans have of sticking it to the man (government) without understanding that the "man" is themselves. Kind of like if you ask the regular person about what the republicans have done for them, they will claim lower taxes, more freedom from regulation. Then when you ask them how those tax cuts affect things like government services they use - WHAT? Then ask about those regulations that keep our food and water safe- WHAT? The astounding lack of knowledge of cause and effect in our political system is mind blowing.
Like ask them if American world leadership is important - OF COURSE-but we spend too much money - so you are ready for America to be a bystander?
An article about the postal service in WaPo talks about the privatization plan and what it would mean - and guess who voted overwhelmingly for republicans? the very people that will suffer from this move the most....astounding and sad.
Deborah said it beautifully Bill; I have nothing to add but that I'm grateful you're still here to share this with us and I'm going to restack it and share to FB. People need to know what is in store.
Glad you made it out of that alive Bill. The iron lung thing always triggers my childhood memory of what I think was a twilight zone TV episode featuring a polio victim in an iron lung and I remember being traumatized at the very thought of such a thing. Thumbs up to you and to all other survivors of that horrible disease. I also remember sticking lots of dimes into those March of Dimes donation card things. I’ll restrain myself from voicing my thoughts about what should happen to RFK Jr.
Thank you for telling your story Bill. I am so sorry you went through that and thankful you had the love and support to help you recover fully. I know several people that had polio and they have lifetime debilitating effects. WTF is wrong with those people that want to get rid of vaccines?? In Jeff Tiedrich’s post today he talks about a group of antivaxers that are posting online that when they are around vaccinated people they get sick from them. Here is part of it. This was a post by Dr. Naomi Wolf:

”Do other unvaccinated people feel routinely unwell after flying cross country with the vaccinated or being shut indoors with them for periods of time? It takes both Brian and me a full day to recover at times. Just a bad headachey toxic feeling.”
Jeff also posted several of her followers comments that are even crazier. One posted that she takes Ivermectin when she travels because her lymph nodes, legs and hands swell, she feels sick, and her period starts within hours of being around vaccinated people 😳😹. It would be funny if all of this disinformation spreading weren’t so dangerous by increasing the number of people that refuse vaccines, plus spreading the BS that vaccinated people are “dangerous to their health”. Unbelievable!!
The Big Issue here is the lack trust of modern medicine and science. There are reasons to be suspicious of the healthcare "system". But science is science. And when billions of people are protected by a vaccine or a med...the anecdotal revelations of a few incidents of reactions, allergies or long term damage need to be put into perspective.
Millions of people are alive or have been saved by the incredibly valuable science that so many dedicated people have developed.
The conversations and attitudes you have related are stunning. They are not based on critical thinking. They are in a club with Chemtrails and Alien Abductions...
Bill, THANKS so much for sharing this. This needs to be a story on EVERY National TV News outlet, in the newspapers...I HOPE you send it as an OP ED to the major papers. I guess that WBZ is the closest CBS affiliate station to you ? I'll do what I can with my contacts to see if we can find some traction for this important POV and life experience.
Horrifying. I am so upset all of the time, and it's taking a toll on me. But we can't close our eyes to what's happening. Let's keep up the good fight, Bill.
Bill, I am so glad you recovered so well from polio. As you and I well remember, Franklin Roosevelt was in a wheel chair most of his adult life. I still remember reading the daily headlines in the Toronto Star of how many hundreds or thousands of children died the previous day from polio. My parents lived in torment every summer, because it seemed polio was more prevalent in the summer months in Canada. As soon as Jonas Salk's vaccine became available in the early 60's I had my children and step-children vaccinated.
As a young girl I got Whooping pox (pertussin), Measles, German Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, not all at once but always around my birthday so I never had a birthday party like my two brothers did, instead I was sick. So, I also rejoiced that vaccines became available.
As soon as flu shots became available for flu I got those too and so far have had all 8 Covid vaccines.
RFK Jr. should be in an insane asylum, not getting publicity with his disgusting anti-vax garbage. He is the worst candidate in the country to be head of any health agency, let alone the Federal Department of Health and Safety. Of course from trump's point of view it will save billions of dollars and result in thousands of deaths of children. What more could he ask for?
I am a survivor of polio, contracted when I was three years old in 1955. I too was one of the lucky ones, who eventually managed to recover to the extent that no-one who knows me in adult life would realise how I escaped the consequences of that terrible disease. The difference in us Bill, is that I'm a U.K. citizen and my friends who have grandchildren and great grandchildren know that they will be protected from polio by vaccination, whereas your friends are condemned to worry about their families.
Shame on those idiots who are vaccine deniers! My. heart weeps for what you are all going through.
Thanks to all who commented here. Thanks for reading. And I encourage you to write or call Senators to stand against such an abomination of a nomination.
Mahalo /Thank you for sharing Bill ! I did not know you had battled polio 😮No matter what you have endured in your life it seems to have made you stronger , kinder and more compassionate than so many people I know who (sadly) when faced with trauma seem to want to cause trauma in other peoples lives but you always take the high road !
This latest affront to medical care and science by RFK and Trump’s team of the UNFIT is an attack on the well being of our society as a whole . We must continue to stand up and speak out and I thank you for your voice of reason .❤️
Bill..keep spreading your story, because it needs to be heard! I hope that McConnell, as much as I despise him, (and also had polio as a child) actually follows through on his promises with efforts to block this lunatic's attacks and appointment. 😞
I’m concerned that McConnell’s admonition is just a shot across the bow, and a warning to change course, not abandon ship.
I think you're right..
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” is absolutely the right response. I have a friend who, like you, had polio when she was a child. Today, she has multiple health problems, including post-polio syndrome. Why anyone would want to return to the days when millions of people suffered from diseases that are now completely preventable - it’s beyond my comprehension.
Dear Bill,
I am stunned to hear your story.
I feel the horror and pain
of you being struck down at 5 at Christmas.
I am deeply sorry
that catastrophe happened to you!
I wish it never did!
Thank God you and your great mother
were so brave and determined
and worked so hard so you would prevail.
I rejoice that you did!
That you are here!
That you are whole!
That your heart survived
and transcended
all your pain!
Shame shame shame upon
the insane
whose actions would cause this hell
to befall millions of our young
They must be stopped!
My father was struck with poli at 14
and crippled physically
and psychologically for life.
I'm with you, Bill
Thank you for your impassioned outcry
Deborah
I'm so sorry you had to suffer this awful disease, and glad you survived and thrived, Bill. It's a disgrace that you and other survivors must suffer this unconscionable attack on science, common sense, and public health. And the tangerine turd hasn't even taken office yet!
I'm going to abscond with that sobriquet: 'tangerine turd' is just too eloquent not to use it.
Bill, you and I were both 5 in 1952, and I remember the scourge of polio, and the life-saving vaccine that everyone got. I am glad to hear you beat the disease, and are healthy. And I share your outrage: I am an opponent of the death penalty but, as Denzel Washington's character, Robert McCall, in 'The Equalizer' says, the line I would like to deliver to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his attorney (who has forever changed the connotation of the Apple app) is "In your case, I'm going to make an exception."
I have come to the conclusion it is an attitude Americans have of sticking it to the man (government) without understanding that the "man" is themselves. Kind of like if you ask the regular person about what the republicans have done for them, they will claim lower taxes, more freedom from regulation. Then when you ask them how those tax cuts affect things like government services they use - WHAT? Then ask about those regulations that keep our food and water safe- WHAT? The astounding lack of knowledge of cause and effect in our political system is mind blowing.
Like ask them if American world leadership is important - OF COURSE-but we spend too much money - so you are ready for America to be a bystander?
An article about the postal service in WaPo talks about the privatization plan and what it would mean - and guess who voted overwhelmingly for republicans? the very people that will suffer from this move the most....astounding and sad.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/12/14/trump-usps-privatize-plan/
Deborah said it beautifully Bill; I have nothing to add but that I'm grateful you're still here to share this with us and I'm going to restack it and share to FB. People need to know what is in store.
Glad you made it out of that alive Bill. The iron lung thing always triggers my childhood memory of what I think was a twilight zone TV episode featuring a polio victim in an iron lung and I remember being traumatized at the very thought of such a thing. Thumbs up to you and to all other survivors of that horrible disease. I also remember sticking lots of dimes into those March of Dimes donation card things. I’ll restrain myself from voicing my thoughts about what should happen to RFK Jr.
Thank you for telling your story Bill. I am so sorry you went through that and thankful you had the love and support to help you recover fully. I know several people that had polio and they have lifetime debilitating effects. WTF is wrong with those people that want to get rid of vaccines?? In Jeff Tiedrich’s post today he talks about a group of antivaxers that are posting online that when they are around vaccinated people they get sick from them. Here is part of it. This was a post by Dr. Naomi Wolf:

”Do other unvaccinated people feel routinely unwell after flying cross country with the vaccinated or being shut indoors with them for periods of time? It takes both Brian and me a full day to recover at times. Just a bad headachey toxic feeling.”
Jeff also posted several of her followers comments that are even crazier. One posted that she takes Ivermectin when she travels because her lymph nodes, legs and hands swell, she feels sick, and her period starts within hours of being around vaccinated people 😳😹. It would be funny if all of this disinformation spreading weren’t so dangerous by increasing the number of people that refuse vaccines, plus spreading the BS that vaccinated people are “dangerous to their health”. Unbelievable!!
The Big Issue here is the lack trust of modern medicine and science. There are reasons to be suspicious of the healthcare "system". But science is science. And when billions of people are protected by a vaccine or a med...the anecdotal revelations of a few incidents of reactions, allergies or long term damage need to be put into perspective.
Millions of people are alive or have been saved by the incredibly valuable science that so many dedicated people have developed.
The conversations and attitudes you have related are stunning. They are not based on critical thinking. They are in a club with Chemtrails and Alien Abductions...
Thanks for weighing in here!
Bill, THANKS so much for sharing this. This needs to be a story on EVERY National TV News outlet, in the newspapers...I HOPE you send it as an OP ED to the major papers. I guess that WBZ is the closest CBS affiliate station to you ? I'll do what I can with my contacts to see if we can find some traction for this important POV and life experience.
Horrifying. I am so upset all of the time, and it's taking a toll on me. But we can't close our eyes to what's happening. Let's keep up the good fight, Bill.
Bill, I am so glad you recovered so well from polio. As you and I well remember, Franklin Roosevelt was in a wheel chair most of his adult life. I still remember reading the daily headlines in the Toronto Star of how many hundreds or thousands of children died the previous day from polio. My parents lived in torment every summer, because it seemed polio was more prevalent in the summer months in Canada. As soon as Jonas Salk's vaccine became available in the early 60's I had my children and step-children vaccinated.
As a young girl I got Whooping pox (pertussin), Measles, German Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, not all at once but always around my birthday so I never had a birthday party like my two brothers did, instead I was sick. So, I also rejoiced that vaccines became available.
As soon as flu shots became available for flu I got those too and so far have had all 8 Covid vaccines.
RFK Jr. should be in an insane asylum, not getting publicity with his disgusting anti-vax garbage. He is the worst candidate in the country to be head of any health agency, let alone the Federal Department of Health and Safety. Of course from trump's point of view it will save billions of dollars and result in thousands of deaths of children. What more could he ask for?
I think Mitch McConnell, also post-polio, agrees with you.
I am a survivor of polio, contracted when I was three years old in 1955. I too was one of the lucky ones, who eventually managed to recover to the extent that no-one who knows me in adult life would realise how I escaped the consequences of that terrible disease. The difference in us Bill, is that I'm a U.K. citizen and my friends who have grandchildren and great grandchildren know that they will be protected from polio by vaccination, whereas your friends are condemned to worry about their families.
Shame on those idiots who are vaccine deniers! My. heart weeps for what you are all going through.
Thanks for sharing your story.