Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network Directory Index

Selecting entries in following index will take you to a brief description of the directory section and links to both the section itself and subsections where applicable. HINT: If you already know which directory section you want, use the above dropdown menu to go direct to that section.

Polio and Post-Polio Resources
International/National/Local Organizations	Specialist Clinics and Health Professionals
Research Institutes and Organisations	Medical Professional Education
Internet Discussion & Support Forums	Polio Survivors on the Internet
Associated and/or Symptomatically Similar Conditions	Polio Virus, Vaccine and Eradication
Other Polio and Post-Polio Resource Lists
General Medical
Complimentary Therapies	Disability Living
Mental Health	Neurology
Occupational Therapy	Orthopaedics
Orthotics	Pain Management
Pharmaceutical	Physiotherapy
Medicine & Healthcare on the Internet
Search & Index Facilities	News and Information Services

Polio and Post-Polio Resources

International/National/Local Organizations
Subsections: International - Africa - Australia - Belgium - Canada - Czech Republic - Denmark - Finland
France - Germany - Ireland - Japan - New Zealand - Portugal - Sweden - Switzerland
UK - USA

First-time readers are requested to read the section introduction rather than go direct to a subsection. If you don't you will miss important background information!

As polio survivors and those who care about them wrestle with the chaos caused by new disability, support groups help in bringing lives back into focus. Learning about Post-Polio Syndrome within the supportive community of others making the same journey provides understanding, hope, and an awareness of the many options available to improve the quality of life.

Nancy Baldwin Carter, Ruth Wilder Bell. Journeying Together: Post-Polio Support Groups. Managing Post-Polio A Guide to Living Well with Post-Polio Syndrome. Ed. Lauro S. Halstead, M.D. NRH Press. 1998;9:154.

Specialist Clinics and Health Professionals
Subsections: Australia - Canada - Denmark - Sweden - UK - USA

First-time readers are requested to read the section introduction rather than go direct to a subsection. If you don't you will miss important background information!

Research Institutes and Organisations
Subsections: International - USA

Medical Professional Education
Subsections: Case Studies - Nurse training and Education

These are resources presenting post-polio medical information in tutorial or other training and education oriented formats.

Internet¹ Discussion & Support Forums
¹Includes proprietry networks such as AOL etc
Subsections: Newsgroups - Bulletin Boards - Mailing Lists - Online Chat - Ham Radio

These are in the main forums where Polio Survivors can exchange views and information not only on polio related subjects but also other matters that may interest them. Some are purely social groups while others focus on specific areas of interest, e.g. medical and healthcare issues, organising support groups etc.

Polio Survivors on the Internet
Subsections: In Polio Survivor last name alphabetical sequence. These are Polio Survivors who have created their own web sites or pages. They are as diverse in content as Polio Survivors are diverse in character and interests.

Associated and/or Symptomatically Similar Conditions
Subsections: Associated Conditions - Symptomatically Similar Conditions
Non-Specific Neurological Conditions

The differentiation between "associated" and "symptomatically similar" as used in this directory section is not a precise one. "Associated Conditions" are known to present in Polio Survivors and can be additional to symptoms that may be diagnosed as Post-Polio Syndrome. "Symptomatically Similar Conditions" are those that present similar symptoms to Polio or Post-Polio conditions but may still present in Polio Survivors. "Non-Specific Neurological Conditions" resources may cover conditions from both the previous categories.

Areas covered include Dysphagia, Fibromylagia, Neuropathies, Sleep Disorders (including Restless Leg Syndrome), Respiratory Conditions (includes Ventilation Assistance), Arachnoiditis, CFS/CFIDS/CMPS/FM/ME, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Thyroid Conditions.

Polio Virus, Vaccine and Eradication
Subsections: Polio Virus - Polio Vaccine - Polio Virus Eradication

The primary focus of the Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network is post-polio medical conditions as we are an organisation run by polio survivors for polio survivors. However, while our own efforts are concentrated on increasing awareness of these medical conditions, the two other major polio related issues must not be forgotten. They are the world-wide eradication of the polio virus and the readoption of IPV in those regions classified polio free in order to eliminate cases of vaccine associated polio. In this directory section you will find resources that cover both those issues plus medical and historical presentations on the virus and disease.

Other Polio and Post-Polio Resource Lists
Subsections: None (one section)

The majority of polio and post-polio web sites and pages include a list of links. The entries in this section have been selected because they are comprehensive and well maintained.

General Medical
Selected as of particular interest for Polio Survivors.

Complimentary Therapies
Subsections: General - Acupuncture

'CAM practitioners, teachers and researchers need to understand the advantages of more systematic audit and rigorous research; while orthodox practitioners and researchers need to understand the benefits of an approach that places more emphasis on the personal contribution individuals can make to their own well-being, rather than reliance on surgery or drugs.'
From the Discussion Document launched in October 1997 at the inauguration of a series of annual President's Lectures sponsored by the King's Fund. The document provided the agenda for the 1998 Integrated Healthcare Conference. The paragraph above was quoted by HRH Prince of Wales in his conference address at Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, United Kingdom on May 28, 1998.

Disability Living
Subsections: International - UK - USA

Persons with post-polio syndrome strive to maintain financial independence, yet this goal becomes difficult to achieve when you are experiencing new physical limitations or conserving energy.

Kathryn R. B. McGowan. Playing the Social Security Benefits Card. Managing Post-Polio A Guide to Living Well with Post-Polio Syndrome. Ed. Lauro S. Halstead, M.D. NRH Press. 1998;12:177.

As well as covering Social Security information resources this section also includes Health Insurance resources and other aspects of Independent Living.

Mental Health
Subsections: USA

Neurology
Subsections: None (one section)

Occupational Therapy
Subsections: UK - USA

Orthopaedics
Subsections: None (one section)

Orthotics
Subsections: UK

Many patients need an orthosis that combines strength and lightness. The new plastics and lightweight metals can often be used alone or in combination, but, unfortunately, the most functional solution may not be cosmetically acceptable. Frequently, patients prefer to repair and use their old braces than to start over again with new ones. Others may resist using any kind of brace for cosmetic and psychological reasons. In a study of 104 postpolio patients, Waring et al., prescribed lower extremity orthoses for 36 patients. Orthotics were recommended for the following: (1) improve safety by reducing the risk of falls, (2) reduce pain, (3) decrease fatigue by improving gait speed and symmetry. Subjects who used orthoses reported significant improvements in pain relief, especially at the knee.

From Post-Polio Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Clinical Management by Anne Carrington Gawne and Lauro S. Halstead. Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 7(2):147-188 (1995).

Pain Management
Subsections: None (one section)

Pharmaceutical
Includes searchable drug databases.
Subsections: International - UK - USA

Physiotherapy
Subsections: International - UK

Medicine & Healthcare on the Internet

Search & Index Facilities
Subsections: Tutorials - Medical Dictionaries - Medical Journals
Medical Resource Search Facilities - Medical Resource Indexes - General Search Facilities
Organisation Search Facilities

News and Information Services
Subsections: Medical and Healthcare News Services - Medical and Healthcare Information Services

The Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network
Registered Charity No. 1064177
An Information Service for Polio Survivors and Medical Professionals

The Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network takes great care in the transcription of all information that appears at this site. However, we do not accept liability for any damage resulting directly or otherwise from any errors introduced in the transcription. Neither do we accept liability for any damage resulting directly or otherwise from the information available at this site. The opinions expressed in the documents available at this site are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily constitute endorsement or approval by the Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network.

Document preparation: Chris Salter, Original Think-tank, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Primary Document Reference: <URL:http://www.ott.zynet.co.uk/polio/lincolnshire/directory.html>
Alternate Document Reference: <URL:http://www.zynet.co.uk/ott/polio/lincolnshire/directory.html>
Last modification: 12th September 2007.
Last information content change: 5th April 2007.