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INFANTILE paralysis, or as the doctors say, poliomyelitis, is not a hopeless disease, but there are seldom any miraculous recoveries. However, there are a great number of people who have made comebacks far beyond expectations. With perseverance, good treatment, even though not received when first affected, they have become able to work and be independent.

Mr. Wilson was afflicted with polio in 1924 after his third year at Dartmouth college. He received massage and exercise for five years at home before he came to Warm Springs.

He asserts that in three years of physiotherapy he has improved more than in five years before. He says his muscles haven't come back so much, but that he has learned how to use the muscles he has to better effect. Alva is now able to get out of a chair by himself and walk easily using crutches; he is even able to climb steps. Friends who have watched Mr. Wilson's progress say his improvement has been remarkable.

Alva continues to take regular treatment, and in addition fills the position of assistant auditor for the Foundation.

In 1916, two years after he graduated from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania, Fred Botts contracted poliomyelitis. At this time he was studying music under William Hinshaw and was preparing himself for an operatic career.

Mr. Botts received no physiotherapeutic treatment until 1925, when he came to Warm Springs. He was a wheel-chair patient and could do practically nothing for himself. For four years he spent the summer months here; his winters in Florida. He improved steadily until he is now able to walk with the aid of braces and crutches.

In January, 1929, he became assistant business manager of the Foundation. In December, 1931, he was promoted to the position of business manager.

"Having observed the Warm Springs patient for the past seven years, one cannot but mention his philosophy of life. He does not ask to have his barriers removed; but only asks for strength to overcome them," was the statement made by Mr. Fred Botts at the conclusion of his interview.

Louis Weinberg, in 1926, was doing newspaper work as a reporter for the Brooklyn Times and was studying at Columbia University when he contracted polio. In a run-down condition, he first noticed a loss of power in one foot. He gradually became weaker and a doctor diagnosed his case as poliomyelitis. The same night his legs became paralyzed completely.

Then began the period of rehabilitation for Lou. He heard about the Warm Springs from reading stories about Governor Roosevelt's progress here and he came for treatment in 1927.

He received treatment for four years. During that time he took an accountancy course from Colombia, continued his newspaper activities, and later worked as assistant auditor for the Foundation.

In 1931, he considered returning to the Brooklyn Times as a reporter, but the lure of Warm Springs induced him to accept a local position. At the instance of Edward Webb, a former patient, he decided to take the task of editing the "Warm Springs Mirror" taking as his colleague, Deering Veeder, another former patient.

Although Mr. Weinberg hasn't had a remarkable physical recovery, (he walks with crutches and long braces), he has, like the others interviewed for this article, been able through intelligent rehabilitation to establish himself in a business and to lead a more nearly normal life.

Lou, our affable and cheerful local editor, gives the following inspiration to all "parals."

"Polio should not be a stumbling block in the path of endeavor. It should be an incentive to even greater work. Curbing as it does, physical movement, it should compensate by creating exercise of greater ingenuity. This is not consolation but fact.

"Instead of a setback polio should be the inception of a comeback to an original goal, from the standpoint of physical as well as mental being. Warm Springs to an ideal starting point."

Sterling Haver was struck down by poliomyelitis in November 1919. His paralysis was extensive and very severe. He was refused admittance to a hospital because they thought that nothing could be done for him.

Nine years later he came to Warm Springs to take treatment. Neglect and mistreatment in the early stages proved to be a severe handicap. Three years of treatment, however, made a remarkable improvement in his arms and trunk. Although he is not able to walk because of early severe contractions and lack of muscle power in his legs, his arms have improved so much that he is able to propel himself in a wheel chair.

In June 1929, Mr. Haver took over the gift shop at Meriwether Inn, but early in 1932 withdrew this project to start a new venture. This new undertaking includes a cleaning and pressing, and photographic service run by a patient for patients.

Mr. Haver is completely self-supporting -- a remarkable change from the helpless man who first came here in 1928.

"Coming back from polio is hard work. Perseverance brings results here as anywhere else. I've never seen anyone who did not benefit from the right kind of treatment," said Mr. Haver in his interview.