Blastoff November 8, 2010

November 1, 2010 Club Meeting Review

..."we are his Rotary family"... Jean Walker

The meeting opened with Debbie McBride leading the members and guests in song; Carlos Villagomez the invocation; Lamar Bowles; the pledge; and Slade Lewis the Four Way Test.  Bill Lowes introduced visitors and guests, including Hope Village guests.  President Coney noted that they would be visiting the first Club meeting of each month.

Jean Walker commented on how much she enjoyed the last social event and how she enjoys having the time to talk to the members at the socials since we just get down to business on Monday's.  She got a chance to sit next to Gene Tromblee at one, and that is where she learned more about him.  At his service people kept asking the group of Rotarians that she was with, how they knew Gene?  They would simply say "we are his Rotary family".  She encouraged the membership to look at their calendars and do their best to attend the social events.  Roger Donnelly said that the next social will be at the 888 Bistro restaurant November 17th.  It was one of Gene Tromblee's favorite spots and Roger was going to see if Gene's wife Donna could attend.

Stavan Vora announced a Rotaract district event to be held on November 12th and that the proceeds will go to support projects in Peru and Argentina.  Tickets can be purchased from Suzi Howe, Marilyn Musial, or Stavan for $40 each.  Jerry Smith successfully auctioned off three items from the Shrimporee.  Philip Harris, center, received his Red Badge from Past District 5890 Governor Suzi Howe on his right and mentor Slade Lewis

Dr. Heather Green Wooten, author of the book, The Polio Years in Texas: Battling a Terrifying Unknown, was the guest program speaker.  She gave a brief overview of her book focusing on the terrifying and debilitating effects of polio in Texas.  Her research revealed that Texas was one of the hardest hit in terms of polio epidemics: Galveston County in 1943, 1945, and 1952; and Houston and Harris County hardest hit of all with epidemics every other year.

Any individual who remembers the polio years remembers the fear that disease instilled.  Although it was widely known that polio was caused by a virus, nobody knew for sure how it was contracted.  We know now that it is a hand to mouth disease.  It multiplies in the intestinal tract and then is shed.  Paralysis occurs when the virus breaks through the intestinal wall, enters the bloodstream and then attacks the central nervous system.  This was the information gathered in order to create the Salk and Sabin vaccines.  However years before these, there was much uncertainty.  All they knew was that it was highly contagious, struck without warning, and had a cruel preference for children and young adults.  Parents were terrified.  People commonly remember the closing of Sunday schools, swimming pools, theaters and summer camps in Texas City.

In response to the rapidly growing number of polio cases in Texas, Dallas Orthopedic Surgeon and Rotarian, William Beall Carrell and the Scottish Rite Masons founded the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in 1923.  It became the first hospital in Texas devoted entirely to rehabilitation of the disabled.  Polio patients comprised 80 per cent of caseload during polio years.

As the polio years progressed, an increasing numbers of patients were becoming victims of bulbar (which paralyzed diaphragm and muscles used for breathing) or bulbar spinal polio (virus paralyzed both limbs and diaphragm).  Iron lung patients required aggressive, round-the-clock care but most hospitals did not have the funding, equipment, or the staff to handle this situation.

Where Are Our Outbound IYE Students?

Our three outbound students are away and doing well.  Michelle Nicholson is in Thailand, Korinn Mallory in Brazil, and Amber Wallour in France.  They have written reports on their experiences which can be seen by clicking on the respective country.