‘You can’t retire from a Disability’ - Louth TD marks World Polio Day

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan has today marked World Polio Day by calling for more supports for polio survivors.

Polio is a virus which causes fever, vomiting and muscle stiffness. If the nerves are affected it can cause permanent paralysis.

Polio can also paralyse the breathing and swallowing muscles, leading to death.

This week in Leinster House, Deputy McGreehan hosted Polio Survivors Ireland in the AV Room for a briefing on the effects of polio on survivors and the needs for recognition of the needs of disabled persons over the age of 65.

Speaking on World Polio Day, McGreehan reaffirmed her position of support from the calls from Polio Survivors Ireland.

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“I was delighted to host Polio Survivors Ireland in the AV Room of Leinster House this week to speak about the lifelong effects of those with polio and the limited recognition those over 65 receive.

“As Polio Survivors Ireland put it, you cannot retire from a Disability, and we must listen to advocacy groups on their proposals so that the Government can help ease the burden for survivors."

As part of their presentation, Polio Survivors Ireland spoke through four actions that must be reviewed in order to improve accessibility to healthcare and avoid long waiting lists.

Their four actions included: a review of age limits that may exclude over 65s from accessing specialist disability and neurorehabilitation, seek greater transparency re and Primary Care staffing and allocation of funding to clarify staff quotas in each CHN across all disciplines, review impact of HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy-caps, and support their engagement with 3rd level institutes in R&D.

McGreehan said the impact polio has on survivors can be complex and vary from person to person, with Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) also something survivors may have to deal with years after initial illness.

PPS is a neurological condition resulting in new symptoms in people who had polio years earlier but whose condition has been stable for at least 15 years.

She said: “PPS causes distress for survivors. It can present new symptoms to people with polio. Their condition could be stable for at least 15 years and can occur 20 to 40 years after the initial illness bringing with it a new muscle weakness as the main symptom.

“Living with a disability bring excessive cost on survivors regardless of age. I will be unequivocal in my support for Polio Survivors Ireland in their campaign to improve the lives of survivors over the age of 65."

She concluded: “I will continue to engage with Polio Survivors Ireland on all their amazing work along with the Minister to ensure that recognition is given to survivors and to reaffirm that you cannot retire from a disability."