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I have taken the liberty to call you Sue because I too, am a member of the group "a race apart." I have tagged this group as a fraternity, but at any rate, we are one of the same. I read the article in a magazine about you and just thought I would write to let you know if there is anything I can add from this part of the country, I would love to do so.

I joined the group a little over two years ago and I think I am pretty substantial. I don't mean this in a discouraged manner, but my involvement is such that I probably will remain a member for some time. I am for all practical purposes, a quad. I say this because I have partial use of my legs, enough for transferring from wheel chair to bed or car. I haven't the use of my hands or arms and very limited breathingwise. I too, was in the iron lung for several months but enough breathing has come back to allow me to be away from any aid except at night when I use a shell for sleeping. I might add, this letter is being typed by the use of a mouthstick on an electric typewriter.

The onset of my illness was first spent at a Veterans hospital and later I was transferred to the Southwestern Respirator Center in Houston, Texas, where I spent nine months before being released almost a year ago. I now live at home with my wife and go back to Houston every few months for routine checkups. I'm sure I needn't tell you of life at a polio center, but again if there is anything I can add to the TOOMEYVILLE JR. GAZETTE, please let me know.

I am writing this letter in interest of your work and would like very much to hear from you and know more about the details of it. I stand both as a subscriber and any help I can be. I don't mean to be so formal, I also want to be a friend of your race. Write when you can.
Tom Johnson
3604 Westmont
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Thank you very much for putting me on the mailing list for the Toomeyville Jr. Gazette. The August issue just arrived and is being reread by us all. Already we are anticipating eagerly the next issues. Your idea is ingenious and should provide an interchange of ideas that prove a wellspring of solutions to our problems. Good luck and many thanks.
Mrs. Roger C. Good
6400 31st Place NW
Washington, 15, DC

I am a post-polio patient now living at home and a "graduate" of the Respiratory Center at Rancho Los Amigos, Downey, Calif.

I have very much enjoyed the one issue of the TOOMEYVILLE GAZETTE which I have seen. I wish you would add me to your mailing list so that I could receive it regularly.
Mrs. Gretchen Weaver
1613 Porter ST.
San Bernardino, Calif

Will you let an old pro join your ranks? I'm very much interested in your paper.

My polio was twelve years ago, iron lung, total paralysis and all that business. 'Taint funny, is it? Now I'm sitting up all day -- by virtue of being tightly laced into an old-fashioned corset -- and do bookkeeping etc. as you can see by my letterhead. I have part of one hand and arm and that's about it. There are few scattered muscles in my legs but they don't amount to much. I was 22 when the miserable stuff struck -- I'm 34 now. I'm married and have a fifteen year old son. (My typing isn't anything to brag about)

What are you doing in that picture in the Paraplegia News? I've peered and peered at it but I can't figure it out. It looks almost like some type of electric pen or something. By George -- I'll bet I just figured it out. Is that gismal a remote control for the type-writer?

When you feel able I'd very much like to hear from you. It's only this summer that I've known about the Paraplegia news and I've enjoyed it so much.
Mrs. Ivan Angel
Bookkeeping and Tax Service
210 Gibson Street Bath, N.Y.

I was introduced to polio at 13, when my sister, who was 11, was stricken in Chicago in 1943. Little did I know that 9 years, 3000 miles 5 years of marriage, 2 children later that the same polio bug would bit me.

We were living in San Francisco, 1952, having moved from Louisville, Ky. the year before. After receiving the famous polio bit, I was admitted to the hospital in San Francisco where I spent six weeks, then I was flown back to Louisville to spend 3 more months in the hospital before being released. So after 6 years (other than having arms and shoulders like Atlas and legs like string beans) I have graduated to one long leg brace on the right leg, two operations on the left leg, peronial transplant to anterior tibia (makes foot go up and in) and hamstring quadricep transplant (to take place of the knee).

I keep house mostly sitting down in my stripped down "hot rod" (no foot pedals) chasing two boys, 10 and 7 years old and a tom-girl 4 (here in Louisville, a baby after polio entitles you to a life membership in the "Polio Mothers Club"). We built a house in 1954 with all polio conveniences, ramps in front and back that look like part of the house, windows that slide back and forth, extra wide doorways, bath tub built up a foot and tiled to make it easier to bath the children, double banisters to the basement so I can swing down on my arms, saves steps!! I go shopping, work for PTA, and just about everything a normal housewife would do.

Dream of the future!! a car without a clutch so I can drive again.

P.S. I'll never forget the words of a San Francisco doctor when I came out of "isolation" -- "You can crawl into your shell, turn the door to the wall, no one will miss you -- or --You can put your root into life's stream and go with it". So I decided to try my darnest!

I'm glad you let Sally Russell come to Louisville -- we really LOVE her.
Mrs. Jeanne Bullock
27l2Sheila Drive
Louisville, Ky

Hello, Dear Editors, Greer Baker received a copy of the Toomeyville JR Gazette and would like to have her name added to the subscription list. She has a friend in a nearby town who I think might like to receive a copy, if she hasn't already, her name is Miss Sharon Leo McCammon, Martinsville, Ill. Both those girls are 17 years old and having home teachers from their High Schools and are hoping to complete their Senior year this Spring. These girls are both learning to type with what they have, so perhaps will write as soon as they get going a little better.
Greer Baker Star Route
Robinson, Ill.

I've just finished reading the August issue of "JR." It was my first meeting with the publication and I must compliment anyone who helped to make it such a neat, compact, interesting little magazine.

I have only one thing to suggest. How about a Children's Corner? I'm sure the younger R.P.'s would enjoy a few articles or maybe jokes or poems written especially for their age bracket.

By this time I guess you're wondering who I am, what with all my suggestions. Well, I'm a "piker", that's who I am. Oh yes, I'm a Polio, but I had no respiratory troubles, so, after reading about y'all and all your problems, I feel that polio just barely touched me. Even tho' I must always wear a long leg brace and from a wheel chair take care of my house and five children, (two of them born since polio), I say again I'm a piker compared to you.
Mrs. Grace Gottbrath
353O Michigan Dr, LouisviIle, 12,
Kentucky

Mrs. Roosevelt is abroad and in her absence I would like to thank you for your letter and the enclosed booklet. I know it will interest Mrs. Roosevelt to see what you are doing to help polio patients here and throughout the world.

With Mrs. Roosevelt's appreciation and good wishes.
(Miss) Maureen Corr
Secretary
Hyde Park. N.Y.

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of the TOOMEYVILLE JR GAZETTE. I appreciate your courtesy and value your words of support.
Marian Anderson
United States Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations

I hope that you will let me know if there is any thing I can do for you. In the meantime, many greetings to you, who with your courage and gallantry are good examples to the rest of us.
Dorothy Fuldheim
Scripps-Howard Radio, Inc.
Cleveland, 15, O

Thanks very much for sending me the copy of the Toomeyville Jr. Gazette. I am forwarding the material around the office so that our staff will be informed on its availability for chronic respiratory polios.
K. Vernon Banta,
The President's Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped.
Washington, DC

I've read the copy of your magazine which was mailed to me. The story about yourself which was reprinted from "The Cleveland Press" was most interesting. I would like your permission to reprint it in the Paraplegia News.
John M. Price
the PARAPLEGIA NEWS
240 Lee Ave, Stroudsburg, Pa.

This is to acknowledge and thank you for the receipt of your excellent newsletter.
C. R. Lyser (For W. Sparks)
Bay Counties Post Polio Assoc.

Thank you very much for your letter concerning the names of patients who are interested in receiving the Toomeyville Gazette. I would like to submit the following names which have come to my attention up to the present time:

I was very interested in reading your publication. I think it is a fine job of arrangement of material and contents.
George Brady
Editor, "The Rocking Reporter"
Mary MacArthur Mem. Resp. Unit
Wellesley Hills, Mass.

CANADA I enjoyed reading the Gazette and would like to be on your permanent mailing list. Since I am not a Polio patient I would be pleased to cover the cost of my subscription if you will let me know your annual rate.

As requested, I am sending a list of 70 respiratory Polios in this area. You will note that these are not patients in this Institution but at the Polio Centre here and therefore some of the names may be duplicated on other lists from this area.
A. T. Mann, Executive Dir.
Canadian Paraplegic Assoc.
Central Western Division
Deer Lodge Hospital Winnipeg, 12, Manitoba

I wish to subscribe to your magazine, I look forward to seeing the next issue.
Roy Wilkes, Camp Hill Hosp.
Halifax, Nova Scotia

We were very pleased to receive a copy of your excellent magazine, the Toomeyville Jr Gazette, and we wish to express a "well done" to all who have assisted in its preparation and publication. The many suggestions, ides, and personal experiences covered in the Junior, will undoubtedly prove to be an inspiration to the many other individuals similarly situated around the world.
D. E. Curren
Canadian Paraplegic assoc.
Camp Hill Hosp.
Halifax, N.S.

AUSTRALIA

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your magazine. I've sent it on to Miss Joan Tuxen, the Secretary of the Australian Advisory Council for the Physically Handicapped and have asked her to insure that it is brought of voluntary agencies and rehabilitation centres that are particularly concerned with the care of chronic respiratory polios. It is a most interesting publication, and I am sure it will enlist many correspondents from this country.
Dr. G. G. Burniston
Melbourne, Australia

ARGENTINA

Have just finished, reading your really excellent magazine and will be delighted to put you into touch with those of our patients who understand English. With very best wishes for ever increasing success to your venture.
Dra. Gwendolyn Shepherd
Buenos Aires, Argentina

ITALY

Ho ricevuto in questi giorni il primo numero di "La Voce dei Polio mielitici"; che la "Associazione Nazionale di Bologna" spedisce ogni mese. Dal giornale ci informano che, negli "Stati Uniti" e stata fondata una "Associazione per poliomielitici e che sia no stati colpiti anche nel sisterma respiratorio e invitano gli iteresati a scrivere all V/Associazione. E' per questo che io mi permetto di scrivervi; essendo anch'io una poliomielitica e essendo appunto stata colpita anche da una filtrazione ai polmoni.

Mi chiamo: Emiliana Tonelli di Giuseppe e di Andreinl Faustina nata a Fivizzano il 8-6-1935. Provincia Massa Carrara. Ora resiedo a Genova, loca1ita Sottocelle; dato che i1 Direttore di un Instituto di Don Orione, ha messo il mio Babbo come custode in una ville dell' Instituto. Desidrerei iscrivermi anch'io alla Vostra Associazione; con la speranza di non essere stata troppo indiscreta porgo distinti ossequi.
Emiliana Tonelli
Genova, Italia

Translation: I have received this past few days the first issue of the Voice of Poliomyelitis which the National Association at Bologna sends us monthly. The direction of the newspaper is informing us that in the U.S. an association has been founded for the poliomyelitis people who have been struck in the respiratory system and are inviting interested people to write to the association. It is for this reason that I allow myself to write you; since I am also a polio and I have been suffering with an infiltration in the pulmonary system.

My name is Emiliana Tonelli, daughter of Giuseppe and Andreini Faustina. Born at Fivizzano on June 8, 1935, Province of Massa Carrara. Now I am residing at Genova, in the section of Sottocelle; due to the Director of the Institute of Don Oriona, since the Director has hired my father to be custodian of a Villa belonging to the Institute. I would like very much also to subscribe to your magazine. With the hope that I have not taken advantage of being too forward.
Emiliana Tonelli
Genoa, Italy

Two desperate fathers in Italy ask us for help:

Perhaps you and your neighbors would like to send some clothes and gifts to the following two families. (Our translations from the Italian were done by amateurs.)

I write to your Association. I can do no work. I have 5 children. The oldest one is a paralytic too -- leg, feets and arms, he can't move. The little girl is same way, so I come to you humbly if you would be os some kind of help to get me out or this misery. So I hope this Association will examine my state of misery and make some recommendations.
Cantinini Italo
Cagli. Via Flaminia N. 92
Pv. Pesaro, Italia

My situation is very bad and desolating. My two children are paralysed in both legs. Today I find myself in a state of misery. I have written to the Italian Voice of Poliomyelitis and until now have not received help. In my monthly paper I found the address to write in America. It pleases me to find that someone can help us in this sad situation that we find ourselves. In Italy, it is not like America where you can get help. My girls are seven and two years old and it breaks my heart not to be able to take care and clothe them like a father should. Sometimes my heart feels so bad because I brought them in this world and can't help them. I think it is a sin to say this but I can't help it. I sincerely hope that someone with a heart can help us in our time of need. As I write his letter I have found hope that the generous people of American will help us.
Cambria Raimondo
The way of Torino 21, Number 55
Messina, Italy (Sicily)

ENGLAND

I should like to congratulate you on the appearance of Toomeyville Jr Gazette. There must be about a 100 respiratory invalids after poliomyelitis in this country and I should like to help you get in touch with them. We have three respiratory invalids at our centre here, but only one of them realizes what the future holds in store as she has been on artificial respiration for about three years. She uses an electric typewriter with her mouth and gets pushed around on an electrically operated trolley with the positive pressure respiration pump on the platform.
W. Ritchie Russell, M.D., D.Sc.
F.R.C.P., Director Dept of Neurology,
United Oxford Hospitals, Respiration Unit,
Churchill Hosp.

We would be very grateful if you would arrange to send a copy of this Gazette to some of our people.
Miss D. Pammenter
British Council for Rehabilitation,
Tavistock House,
London

Having had your Gazette passed on to me by one of my doctors, I was wondering if you would be so kind and help me if possible?

I am a respiratory polio having been in a Lung 3 years. I am coming out daily with a Chest Shell which at the moment is being run off the motors of my Lung this of course confines me to the one room.

If you would be so kind and send me the information on Portable Motors or Batteries for the Chest Shell along with the price and where they could be obtained I would be most grateful. We have tried here without success. I must add I got Polio in Texas U.S.A. on my l7th Birthday that was 3 years ago on the 24th Nov whilst serving in the Merchant Navy.
John Prestwich
London
England