On October 19, our Club was honored to welcome polio survivor Saul Morse, who shared his personal story about living with polio and helped us better understand the ongoing challenges polio presents to those affected by the disease and why Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio remains so important.
Saul contracted polio at just 21 months old and today lives with post-polio syndrome, using a wheelchair for mobility. Despite significant physical and societal barriers, he built an extraordinary career as a federal transportation regulatory trial attorney, chief counsel to an Illinois Senate Minority Leader, managing partner of a private law firm, and adjunct assistant professor at SIU School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield.
Saul also brought attention to a significant challenge facing polio survivors: the limited availability of medical professionals with specialized expertise in treating post-polio syndrome. Decades after the initial infection, survivors can experience progressive muscle weakness, mobility difficulties, and breathing or swallowing problems, yet finding knowledgeable medical care can be difficult.
Saul’s story reminds us that polio’s story can last a lifetime. While Rotary works to protect future generations through global eradication efforts, we must also recognize the needs of survivors today and the importance of medical support, accessibility, and inclusion.
Thank you, Saul, for sharing your experiences, your accomplishments, and your perspective with our Club. Your story gave us a deeper appreciation for the lasting effects of polio and renewed our commitment to a world free of this devastating disease.
Lets End Polio Now!