Text Box: The Post Polio Support Group of Maine is a private, non-profit 501 [c] (3) organization.  We offer the latest information on the late effects of polio to more than nine hundred polio survivors, their families, and health care providers throughout Northern New England and parts of Canada.  Support for our work comes from donations from the public, from Alpha One, and from a grant furnished by the Pine Tree Society.  For more information, contact us at:

The Post Polio Support Group of Maine
c/o 674 Hallowell-Litchfield Road
West Gardiner, Maine 04345
Phone: (207) 724-3784 
NOW ON THE WORLWIDE WEB:
http://www.ppsgm.org

The Post

Polio Support Group

of Maine

 

 

Polio Update

PPSGM

Summer

2007

Thoughts on Aging

 

Aging is inevitable, but have you ever noticed how different a group of people of the same age may look?  Some reasons are inherited, such as early graying or balding, while others are self-made, such as from excessive sun exposure.  Many things we can’t really avoid, but I like to think that aging can be a positive experience if we try to see the positives in life.

 

                         It’s not always easy to be positive, especially when one is dealing with a medical problem that is debilitating.  Those of us with post-polio syndrome may also have other medical problems that compound our discomfort.  As we age and experience regular aspects of aging, our “old” joints and muscles just don’t seem to respond as well as they did, and even minor memory loss (whether temporary or permanent) can cause trepidation.  For those with PPS, maybe a whole week or more of rest will be needed to recover from an illness or small injury, while someone else may recover in a day or two.  Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to take care of our bodies, they just don’t respond. Sadness can lead to depression; frustration can lead to anger.

 

However, here are some suggestions that you may wish to try:  find activities to do that you enjoy; socialize with others; keep your weight within a reasonable range; keep nutritionally healthy; look forward to what each day will bring; and take care of your whole physical and mental well-being;

 

When looking at our body’s signs of aging, also try to look at our whole self – not just our imperfections.  We can choose to believe that:

 

· We have worthwhile knowledge and experiences to share with others, such as family, friends, or people we don’t yet know.

· Our skills, talents and abilities still have value.

· We can still find things to do and enjoy.

· Our infirmities are only a part of our whole self, and we can choose NOT to let these dominate our whole life’s activities and experiences.

We are valuable for who we are.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION

LIVING AS A      WHOLE PERSON       Saturday, October 6, 2007 marks the date for our annual conference this year in Augusta.  The Registration form and directions to the Calumet Club are on page four.  Starting at 9:00 AM and ending around 3:00 PM, we’ll have a day full of information we can all use.

SPECIAL ANNUAL SEMINAR ISSUE…

          ...mail in registration form inside