Barbara Gratzke
  • Female
  • Homestead, FL
  • United States
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Barbara Gratzke's Friends

  • John Noble
  • Bernard Steinberg
  • sheila bayard
  • Janice Askwith
  • Lora Duguay
  • Luiz Baggio Neto
  • Cilla Webster
  • Linda Priest
  • Lisa E. Haft Robison
  • JAMES E DAVIS JR
  • Amy Gonzales
  • Els Symons
  • Barbara Angelica Crowe
  • Daniel L. (Dan) Middlebrooks
  • Peter C Ellis, P. Eng.

Barbara Gratzke's Groups

Barbara Gratzke's Discussions

Anyone want abstracts of what speakers at the European Polio Union conference covered?
2 Replies

The European Polio Union group gathered informally and began to unite all the European country Post Polio group leaders and advocates at a conference in Italy in 2007.They have become stronger and…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by L1z H1ncks Mar 4, 2012.

Dr. Bruno's post on Rotary Eradication Effort versus monies needed to find cure for polio and PPS
2 Replies

Here is the link to an article about the Rotary and Bill Gates efforts to eradicate polio through vaccines being unreachable.  …Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Janice Cootey Mar 18, 2011.

Has anyone else found different types of message therapy has helped to reduce pain or made itheir mobility better for a while
3 Replies

I found a WATSU message therapst several years ago or I should say she found me through a referral from PPSers that take a specia-needs aquatic therapy class every week at a local County swimming…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Barbara Angelica Crowe Nov 22, 2010.

Vocal problems due to PPS
8 Replies

Yesterday, our Miami Post Polio Support group (Post Polio Assn. of South Florida) met at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and enjoyed the second of four seminars that the new…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Stella Newall Feb 19, 2010.

 

Barbara Gratzke's Page

Latest Activity

Bernard Steinberg and Barbara Gratzke are now friends
Mar 4, 2012
L1z H1ncks replied to Barbara Gratzke's discussion Anyone want abstracts of what speakers at the European Polio Union conference covered?
"Hi Barbara, I'd be happy to post the abstracts on our poliotoday.org website if they are amenable.   Do you have any details on where and when they plan to have their next conference? thanks Liz Webmaster, CommunicationsSalk Institute…"
Mar 4, 2012
Helen Brown replied to Barbara Gratzke's discussion Anyone want abstracts of what speakers at the European Polio Union conference covered?
"Well thanks for that Barbara, but you might like to know that you can also get information online at  http://www.polioconference.com/ Regards, Helen"
Mar 4, 2012
Barbara Gratzke posted a discussion

Anyone want abstracts of what speakers at the European Polio Union conference covered?

The European Polio Union group gathered informally and began to unite all the European country Post Polio group leaders and advocates at a conference in Italy in 2007.They have become stronger and stronger to advocate for polio survivors and lobby for more research funding and services and programs for those with PPS.They hosted their first International PPS conference in Copenhagen in mid 2011 and it was so sucessful that they are planning another one.Many doctors came to be educated as well…See More
Mar 4, 2012
2 Comments
John Noble left a comment for Barbara Gratzke
"Hi Barb Thanks for the warm welcome. Not sure if we know each other? I was just diagnosed last week. I had surgery and woke up with all the PPS anesthesia symptoms. 2 and a half weeks of hell. Lower leg spasms in the middle of the night with extreme…"
Mar 4, 2012
Barbara Gratzke and John Noble are now friends
Mar 3, 2012
Barbara Gratzke replied to JAMES E DAVIS JR's discussion An email I sent to a well known polio support organization.
"Hi James,   We're almost neighbors as I live south of Miami, Florida and am leader of the Miami PPS group. So glad you have acknowledged Dr. Bruno as he has helped so many"
Mar 3, 2012
Barbara Gratzke left a comment for John Noble
"Hi John - welcome to this group. Your name rings a bell with me as think I've communicated with you in the past, but can't remember exactly. I'm active in the Miami, FL PPS group - Post Polio Alliance of South Florida and used to be…"
Mar 3, 2012
Barbara Gratzke and Richard Van Der Linden are now friends
Sep 25, 2011
Barbara Gratzke left a comment for Barb O
"Hi Barb O ...we were just at our first Baycliff PPS retreat - what a wonderful 5 days. It was all you said about it and more! - just had hoped to visit with you there. Hope all is well............Barb Gratzke"
Sep 25, 2011
Barbara Gratzke replied to Vee S's discussion Polio and normal growth
"I've been told by and seen many polio survivors that have one leg affected by polio and did not develop and was shorter than the other, but have known also those that both legs were effected and they have walked their entire lives…"
Jul 18, 2011
Barbara Gratzke replied to L1z H1ncks's discussion Congrats to Lisa Zion!!
"Lisa - I think it is so wonderful that you take the time to create Post Polio Awareness and be out there showing others that having a disability doesn't keep you from fulfilling your goals and enjoying life. Kudos to you!  "
Jul 18, 2011
Michele Marsh joined Barbara Gratzke's group
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PPS group leaders & newsletter editors

This group is for major PPS advocates to share ideas and develop a social network for brain-storming to advance their similiar advocacy efforts
Jun 17, 2011
22 Comments
Janice Cootey replied to Barbara Gratzke's discussion Dr. Bruno's post on Rotary Eradication Effort versus monies needed to find cure for polio and PPS
"I just read the New York Times article link above, and Barbara's comments. Polio is a horrific disease, and has caused the people on this planet nothing but trouble for a few thousand years. Illness, death, paralysis, and weakened bodies lie in…"
Mar 18, 2011
Vee S replied to Barbara Gratzke's discussion Dr. Bruno's post on Rotary Eradication Effort versus monies needed to find cure for polio and PPS
"I agree - I think it would be a wonderful thing if the stories about Polio could carry a sentence or two pointing out that the disease has life-long effects and is not "over when it's over".  But it isn't an easy message to…"
Mar 11, 2011
Barbara Gratzke posted a discussion

Dr. Bruno's post on Rotary Eradication Effort versus monies needed to find cure for polio and PPS

Here is the link to an article about the Rotary and Bill Gates efforts to eradicate polio through vaccines being unreachable.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/health/01polio.html?_r=2&src=me I, for one, wish that someone would step forward to assist polio survivors who across the globe need financial assistance to get the mobility aides that they need to continue to live independently as health insurances…See More
Mar 9, 2011
2 Comments

Profile Information

Are you a Polio Survivor?
yes
What year did you contract polio?
1954
Do you have Post-Polio Syndrome?
yes
When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
diagnosed 1991 - symptoms earlier
List any assistive devices you are using...
scooter/long leg brace
List any Polio Survivor Groups that you belong to online or in person.
Post Polio Assn. of South Florida (PPASF)
International Post Polio Support Organizationn (IPPSO)
Post Polio Health International (PHI)
Please describe how polio has changed your life.
Gone from being able to perform the tasks of everyday living independently to needing personal assistance and assistive devices. Can no longer drive a car.

Comment Wall (19 comments)

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At 4:21am on March 4, 2012, John Noble said…

Hi Barb

Thanks for the warm welcome. Not sure if we know each other? I was just diagnosed last week. I had surgery and woke up with all the PPS anesthesia symptoms. 2 and a half weeks of hell. Lower leg spasms in the middle of the night with extreme pain. Doctors couldn't stop them or the pain. Finally found a Neurologist that gave me Baclofen that worked.  I need surgery asap. I'm walking around with a stent in my ureter and stones in my kidney. Need to get the stone blasted. I think I may have found some PPS Doctors in Albany NY. Hope they can do surgery w/o the side effects. Found some info about PPS Dr Bruno and a great youtube video about the PPS. Never knew I had polio til just a couple months ago when talking to y brother about remembering being real sick and wearing braces on my legs. He said I had polio. WOW The more I find out about the PPS the more the puzzle unfolds.

At 1:46pm on January 15, 2011, sheila bayard said…

Hi Barbara,

Since the streets in NY have become treacherous, I'm spending more time

on the computer, and learned how to navigate a little better, and found your

message.  Strongly thinking about coming to Florida now, despite protests from my children who live near me here.  My husband also still works,  soooooo,

we will see.  Sorry about the debackle ( or whatever you would call it) with

the chats on iipso, just when I had learned of them.  Can't anyone else do them?

I don't think Professor Mike is anyone who will ever change his mind.

Anyway, hope you are well.  I am continuing my downward slide, but not too

bad.  Getting around with a walker.

At 12:47pm on July 19, 2010, Amy Gonzales said…
Hi Barb,
Just wanted to say Hi! Hope all is well with you. I'm still in the midst of trying to figure out what is going with me but I'm hanging in there with all the help of all the wonderful people here on this website. This website is great. I would like to say thank you to you for helping me find this website and meet these wonderful people. Take care and God Bless Amy
At 5:27am on February 25, 2010, YVONNE ELLANOR ISAACSON said…
THANKS FOR YR WELCOME.
At 8:34pm on February 19, 2010, Liliana Marasco Garrido said…
Thank you...Barb of course this will help PPS survivors Sending very best wishes to you.
At 8:24pm on February 19, 2010, Liliana Marasco Garrido said…
Hi Barb would you please tell me how can I give up to Polio Today?
And to your Group I will re_subscribe as APPLAC thanks in advance.
Sincerely
Lily
At 1:07am on February 19, 2010, Cilla Webster gave Barbara Gratzke a gift…
Gift
Red Ribbon
Red Ribbon
From the Gift Store
At 1:07am on February 19, 2010, Cilla Webster said…
Thanks for the welcome. Yes. I will take it very slowly.
At 11:42am on February 12, 2010, Amy Gonzales said…
Hi Barb- Just want to quickly give you an update. I went to a PPS meeting that was in Escondido this week and it was a great experience for me. I met up with Gladys and she is a sweetheart. She gave me a doctor's name so I can make an appt. and get an evaluation done to determine if I really have PPS. All of the polio survivors that I met are so wonderful. I'm so glad that I opened up your website and got a hold of you. Hope all is well with you.
Have a great weekend and Happy Valentines Day.....


Amy
At 6:50am on February 7, 2010, Susan Clay said…
Well Hi Barb - I've actually been following you, Shari, Johnnie and the other folks on IPPSO. Still a lot of good info coming from that site. Great Job you all are doing.
No longer working - I just couldn't make it through an 8 hr day any longer. At first it was very hard admitting I couldn't work...but now I kind of like it. Now I've got to figure what to do with the 'rest' of my life! I've begun training (or trying to!) a puppy as a service dog for me in terms of balance, pick up items etc. He's wonderful - I'll put a picture up of him soon.
How are you doing? Are you still traveling with your husband? I'd like to hear about that when you get some time...Talk to you later...Best Susan

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