Living with Polio

By Daniel J. Wilson,

Book cover of Living with Polio: The Epidemic and Its Survivors

Book description

Polio was the most dreaded disease of twentieth-century America. Whenever and wherever it struck, hospitals filled with victims of the virus. Many experienced only temporary paralysis, but others faced a lifetime of disability. "Living with Polio" is the first book to focus primarily on the personal stories of the men…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Living with Polio as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

We do not know the toll that the COVID pandemic will have in the future, we collectively only know the trauma it has wrought. Most of the disabled people I have known, including Paul Longmore, became disabled from poliovirus attacking child populations. Polio was a vector for societal transformation as the disabled constructed new lives abruptly altered by the disease. This book focuses on polio survivors. Wilson surveyed over 150 polio narratives focusing on the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers (1930-1960) to learn about experiences over lifetimes. While some experienced temporary paralysis, others faced lifetime disability dealing with the…

Want books like Living with Polio?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 73 books like Living with Polio.

Browse books like Living with Polio

Book cover of Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability
Book cover of Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha’s Vineyard
Book cover of Disability and Theatre: A Practical Manual for Inclusion in the Arts

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,590

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Polio, disability, and people with disabilities?

Polio 21 books
Disability 55 books