NORM POTTER on POLIO

 "Norm (Potter) may have enjoyed being in Rotary over a quarter of a century but has lived uncomfortably with polio for over three quarters of a century. He has developed a keen interest in the virus and it's impact on the world.

He will be talking about the history of Polio, the current situation and it's long term effects. Polio is nearly  obsolete but it will still be causing it's problems for a long time after the risk of catching it is no more."



POLIO

Polio (poliomyelitis) mainly affects children under 5 years of age. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those paralysed, 5–10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Australia began routinely vaccinating against polio in 1956. The last polio epidemic in Australia was in 1961-1962. Australia was officially declared polio-free in 2000.

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio around the world for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.

Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.

NORM

Norm suffered from polio more then 75 years ago and since then has taken an interest in eradicating around the world. He is often involved in Rotary projects and in speaking about polio, its effects and the Rotary Polio Plus program. Norm is a member of the Rotary E-Club of Brindabella


CONTACT.       Norm Potter            0412 4349000.          norm.wdi@gmail.com




































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