Hunt Co., TX -  Lawrence Hunter Family Boosters For
Infantile Paralysis Drive, 1952
*****************************************************
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by:
Sarah Swindell <sss@texoma.net>

USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
*****************************************************

Lawrence Hunter Family of Celeste Are Boosters for National Foundation For
Infantile Paralysis MOD Drive
    One does not have to go far to find persons and families who are
enthusiastic about the work of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
and ready to boost the annual POLIO fund-raising campaign.
    The Lawrence Hunter family of Celeste belong to this group of boosters.
The Hunter have had lots of firsthand experience with polio since the day,
fourteen years ago, when the doctor told them that their oldest son had the
dreaded disease.
    Elbert had been sick for a few days with what appeared to be an upset
stomach.  His temperature had run pretty high, but his mother and dad were not
unduly alarmed about his condition.  They had two little girls older than
Elbert and they knew that a small child can run a pretty high fever from a
digestive upset.  It was two or three days after the beginning of the illness
when hey noticed that Elbert was not moving his legs normally.  The doctor
came and his examination confirmed the parents' suspicions.  Elbert had
infantile paralysis.
    The paralysis, first apparent in Elbert's legs, spread until it engulfed
his entire body.  A very limited motion of the left fingertips was the extent
of his muscular activity.
    As soon as it could be managed, Elbert was admitted to the hospital.
There the Infantile Paralysis Foundation took over,and arranged a series of
treatments that began by keeping the patient in very rigid braces for eighteen
months.  This was followed by months of other types of treatments and by a
succession of five operations--these designed to strengthen bones twisted by
the disease.  The cost of this program of treatments was taken care of by the
Foundation.  Mr. and Mrs. Hunter do not know how to estimate this cost, but
think that it must run into many thousands of dollars.  Of course, there was
considerable expense for them, too.  There were the many trips to and from the
hospital, the orthopedic shoes, and many other expenses.  But they know that
no average family could finance the kind of care Elbert has had except for the
help of some such agency as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
    Sixteen-year-old Elbert Hunter is slightly lame today; however, he does
not let that interfere with normal activities around home and school, nor mar
his happy, sunny disposition.  He takes part in the rough-and-tumble sports
with the other boys; and certainly manages to hold his own.  Yet, Mrs. Hunter
firmly believes that he could never have walked had he not had the care that
the Infantile Paralysis Foundation provided.
    Yes, the Hunters are boosters of the Polio Drive.  They know that polio is
as likely to strike your family as it did theirs--and that you, too, would be
offered the priceless aid provided by the Foundation.  Elbert Hunter invites
you to "JOIN THE MARCH OF DIMES" by donating generously to the fund-raising
drive.  By helping others, you maybe helping yourself.
(February 1, 1952, The Celeste Courier, by Clyde W. Heflin)