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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
A STROLL ALONG THE BEACH
My seventy-four-years-young grandmother walks beside me with a slight limp.
“Did you have an accident when you were a girl, Nan?”
“Polio.”
“Why aren’t your legs deformed like the kids in those old films?”
“I was only five at the time.” Nan’s eyes mist. “My mother defied our doctor, who wanted to shackle me with steel braces, and took me to one of Sister Kenny’s treatment centers. There they wrapped my legs in hot wool and forced me to exercise.”
“Didn’t that hurt?”
“Like hell.” She grins and skips toward the ocean. “Last one in the water’s a rotten egg.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Plucky Nan!
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Plucky Nan indeed…and a even pluckier therapist. Thanks for reading, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The nan seems like a tough one.
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Dear Serene,
Nan is a tough one, but even tougher was the woman who devised the much-disputed treatment. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea this could be done.
I had an uncle, a wonderful man, who suffered terribly all his life from the crippling effects of childhood polio.
Bright story, m’lady.
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Dear CE.
I, for one, am grateful for polio vaccine that became available when I was but a toddler. I learned of Sister Kenny when I read Alan Alda’s autobiography “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed.” He was stricken with polio when he was 7. His parents took him to one of Sr. Kenny’s controversial treatment centers. What a pit doctors pooh-poohed her methods, isn’t it?
Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All what many have had to endure over the years. Great that you are sharing real stories.
Hope Covid19 has a cure soon.
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Dear Anita,
You and me both, Anita. Thank you for your kind and hopeful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I looked her up. She wasn’t a real nurse, but self taught. She was in the military. G.K. Chesterton was a self taught unofficial journalist and philosopher too. Maybe it was really common during their era
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Dear Larry,
‘Tis true, she wasn’t a trained nurse. Nonetheless, she saved so many children from a life of braces and wheelchairs. Among them, Alan Alda, Martin Sheen and Dinah Shore. Thanks to her, occupational therapy has rehabilitated others with disabilities. Glad that you looked her up. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think polio needs to be talked about more often. Devastating for victims. I cringe every time I hear the anti-vaccine mob because I think polio. Be cautious with new vaccines (fair argument) but the old ones are generally safe.
Great story. Sounds like nan was a blast to be around.
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Dear Tannille,
I agree re vaccines. I was born at the height of the polio pandemic. My older brother and I have mused how fortunate we are to have escaped the virus. I’m grateful for doctor visits my mother dragged me to kicking and screaming. I had my babies vaccinated at the scheduled times and all three are healthy , intelligent men.
Thank you re my story. I think you’re right about Nan. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Must have been scary times to have children with Polio lurking.
I hope Nan makes another story appearance. 😀
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Hm. I’ll give Nan some more thought. 😉
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Good story, Rochelle. I’m assuming it’s based on a true story?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
This is indeed based on facts. Sister Kenny had to fight to have her treatment acknowledged despite her many successes. Nan is fiction, but she represents a host of others who didn’t have to be confined to braces or wheelchairs. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A bit of history I didn’t know, including that Alan Alda had polio and his Sister Kenny’s type treatments for his recovery (from the Wikipedia article you referenced). Nice story and I’m sure grandmother will be skipping on the beach for years to come.
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Dear Trent,
I learned of Sister Kenny in Alan Alda’s autobiography. She was an amazing woman and grossly under-credited. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a fabulous story to share… Goes to show, doctors don’t know everything and trained nurse or not, she had an instinct that she stuck to and helped so many. Cheers to the pioneers who stay far away from the naysayers!
Shalom and lotsa skipping to the ocean love,
Dale
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I am always amazed by your ability to bring to life the stories of individuals like this nursing sister.
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Dear Mike,
I love telling these stories so your comment makes me smile all over. Many thanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Dale,
One of the things I love about my doctor is that she’s open to more than what she “knows.” She says if it works, do it. Oh yeah…she’s a woman. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa jumping into the ocean hugs,
Rochelle
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Well done, Rochelle.
I too lucked out during the polio days, esp since our next door neighbor had it (he recovered well) and their house was quarantined. That is how learned the meaning of that word. I can still see the sugar cube, best shot I (n)ever had, and I had many.
Bill
PS: my lap pool opens Monday and I have a reservation. 🙂
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Dear Bill,
The sugar cubes, thankfully, came into being before I was finished with vaccinations. 😉 Today I am grateful for those dreaded polio shots.
Glad you’ll soon be back in the swim. No one understands the depth of that joy like another swimmer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I was at school with a girl who’d had polio. If only Sister Kenny had treated her, rather than doctors, she wouldn’t have had to suffer having her dominant hand twisted around at an odd angle and locked there permanently. She was an amazingly positive, clever, brave and kind girl — a bit of a hero to me, really. Thank you for reminding me of her.
Thanks for introducing Sister Kenny to me in your illustrative and moving story. You are so good at your little histories.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
Polio was such a devastating disease, wasn’t it? I’m grateful for the vaccine. But what a pity doctors wouldn’t listen to Sister Kenny. How many more children could have lived normal lives, free of braces and crutches?
Thank you for your generous comment. So good to see you here. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I love the story. I’ve heard of Sr. Kenny, but did not know much about her amazing work.
I think the photo is one of the most frightening ones you’ve used, and I have to admit that I’m searching for the connection between the photo and the story? What am I missing?
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Dear Linda,
If only more doctors had listened to Sister Kenny. Her results were irrefutable, yet they discounted her because she was untrained and, worse, a woman. Glad you enjoyed the story.
I took the photo while our house was being painted from my second story window. As for my story’s connection to the photo…think legs…polio…crutches…braces… 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, duh. Of course. Takes me a while to wake up sometimes 🙂
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😘🤣
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Genuinely fascinating piece of medical history Rochelle, thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Iain. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Anyone who lived in a place called Nobby is all right with me. I enjoyed your story. Your grandmother seems to have been one of the lucky ones. Another amazing contribution to the betterment of our world by someone I’ve never heard of.
Unfortunately, this is my takeaway. I’ve heard of polio but didn’t know what it was. It conjures a vague image of kids in leg braces. I clicked the poliomyelitis link on the Sister Kenny page. This jumped out and slapped me in the face, “Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected fecal matter entering the mouth.” WHAT?????
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Dear Nobbin,
I missed the part about polio’s relationship to fecal matter. At any rate, I’m glad you liked my story. Apparently there were quite a few lucky ones that doctors refused to recognize back in the day. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I grew up seeing older kids who had had polio. I like how your story connects individual destiny with history. Kudos to Sister Kenny!
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Dear Gabriella,
Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very delightful story.
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Many thanks, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just finished reading about Sister Kenny. When I think of the ripples coming from one person’s passion to heal… Wonderful story that rippled from hers also.
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Dear Lisa,
Think of all the people who wouldn’t have to use crutches or be trapped in braces if more doctors had listened to her. Thank you so much re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, it makes me cringe to think of it. You are very welcome and glad you brought her story to light.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Great story. They eventually got a vaccine for polio… after forty years. People now don’t remember the scourge. I don’t either, but you know I never live in my own time 🙂
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Dear Josh,
I was two when the vaccine became available. To me, polio was a shot I had to be dragged into the doctor’s office for. 😉 My brother and I were lucky. So many children weren’t. Thank you re my story. I’m with you on not living in my own time. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story of another lesser known piece of history — not the Polio, which many know about, but the treatment that saved some bigger suffering and could’ve saved more. I know people who were not so lucky. PT and OT would not be what they are today if it weren’t for her, I think.
Nicely done!
Now, I’d SO want to skip into the ocean!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
It’s a pity Sister Kenny’s not more widely known. But she was, after all, untrained and, worse, a woman. She did as much for the medical profession as Jonas Salk with the (thank God for it) vaccine. Thank you for your affirming comments as always.
I’d love to skip to the ocean and dive in. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed! There was a story just the other day about Marty Goddard, who invented and advocated for the Rape Kit, and yet was erased from history and her contribution forgotten (and the co-opted by a man, how unsurprising). We have a long way still to uncover and celebrate the many contributions of women, and you are doing a good service to all of us unearthing some of those!
XOXO
Na’ama
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Now where’s the “Love” button when you need it? I followed the link to the article about Sister Kenny. Sounds like she was ahead of her time. You bring me another outstanding person from history. Thanks, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
What a lovely thing to say. She was definitely ahead of her time. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember the film with Rosalind Russell I think in the title role. Made me cry.
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Dear Di,
The Rosalind Russell film was actually the catalyst for my story. It made me dig a little deeper. 😉 Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for your response. I thought she was terrific.
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Yes, sometimes the old remedies are the best, some people still use the cold water treatment to boost blood flow. I think we have forgotten how self-sufficient people use to be.
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Dear James,
I think there’s room for both…the old ways and new. It’s when people shut their minds to other possibilities that we lose our way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Polio was a dreadful illness; thank goodness – and science – for vaccines! Nice story, Rochelle. I strongly approve of your Nan; that’s the sort of Granny I try to be! Well told!
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And of course, Sister Kenny, that fewer people suffered permanent disability.
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Dear Penny,
I hope I’m that kind of granny, too…or in my case Bubbie 😉 I wonder what would’ve happened if more doctors had paid attention to Sister Kenny. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This puts me in mind of: what doesn’t kill you , makes you stronger. Strong Nan!
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Dear Sascha,
Nan is a strong woman with a story to tell. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet.
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Thank you, Trish.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My son was born with bi-lateral talipies, club foot, both of his feet pointing inwards. Instead of invasive surgery he was lucky enough to receive the Ponsetti treatment, which is the manipulation of the bones when really young rather than breaking and setting. Every week we would go into Birmingham Children’s Hospital, to have his legs stretched and moved into a position nearer normal, then set in plaster for a week. Every week we would return, the plaster would be removed, his feet manipulated and re-set. This went on for 6 months. Then he was given boots and a bar to hold his feet in place, he wore this contraption 24/7 until he was 3, then he wore it just in bed until he was 5. He had a small operation on a tendon after that and now his feet are as normal. He’s the fastest runner in his year, and has a mean right foot in football (you say soccer, incorrectly!) The National Health Service is a wonderful institution and needs protecting, i fear this government has other ideas.
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Dear Shrawley,
All I can say is “Wow!” I have a good friend who was born with clubfoot. She has quite a few horror stories and a lot of ongoing issues. Kudos to you and the NHS. Thank you for sharing your story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an interesting story. She’s clearly one tough cookie!
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Dear Keith,
Nan and Sister Kenny…two tough cookies. Of course only one of them was real. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an inspirational person was Sister Kenny, so ahead of her times with so much nobility. Thanks for telling us her story Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Joy,
Sister Kenny was definitely ahead of her time. Too bad more doctors couldn’t look past their upturned noses. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an inspiring story in this day of fear and dreaded disease. The story of polio has much to teach us. I like historian Jon Meecham’s treatment of it on his podcast Hope Thru History. May there be a Sister Kenny out there, ready to alieve the worst aspects of the current threat with innovative treatments, and soon.
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Dear Andrea,
Thank you for your affirming comments. A Salk or Sabin would be nice, too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember reading a book years ago on the history of vaccines and being grateful to live in such a fortunate age. Another book about the 1918 influenza had a similar impact. Who knew, it was just a matter of time? Stay well.
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Funny how the word polio used to strike fear and dread. I still rememer classmates with calipers. My father was an anti-vaxer in today’s terms so I remember those times vividly. I’d not heard of Sister Kenny, but there’s always rooms for new and diverse treatments in my book. Nice one.
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Dear Sandra,
I was still pretty young when the vaccines were made available. The words “polio shot” used to strike terror into my heart. 😉 Now I see a doctor who says, “if it works, do it.” I think she would’ve supported Sister Kenny. Pity more didn’t. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds like quite a woman – got to admire a fellow Australian!.
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Thanks, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It did wonders for Nan!
An interesting story about Sister Kenny.
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A beautiful story of a woman who was the recipient of Sister Kenny’s extraordinary care. Sister Kenny was an incredible woman. I loved reading her story. Thank you, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
No doubt there are many stories like Nan’s. 😉 Sister Kenny was an incredible woman. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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her childhood experience must have made her tough to face life’s challenges.
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I’m sure you’re right, Plaridel. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Some things are worth the pain in the end!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
In Alan Alda’s autobiography he recounts how painful the treatments were. Nonetheless, that pain was nothing compared to being crippled for life. Definitely worth it. thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Neat story! I’m sure your parents remembered those days when polio was a devastating illness and an outbreak had occurred. Dad most certainly remembered. Yes, Sister Kenny marched on and kept on! Good stuff.
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Dear Kent,
Alan Alda, Martin Sheen and Dinah Shore were/are walking tributes to Sister Kenny’s method. I’m sure with two young children in the height of the Polio pandemic, my parents remembered. For me I remember the dreaded polio shots, being drug into Dr. Cohen’s office by mom and Aunt Edith. Muchos thank you.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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THAT’S where I remember Sister Kenny. Oh, before I forget, I saw a video of Robert Merrill singing Stouthearted Men on a TV show. Man! Was he GOOD!
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Dear Rochelle,
so I’m a bit late ):
The Nan and the woman is extremely tough. Great story.
xoxo,
DW
(My earlier comment got swallowed up
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Dear DW,
I’m not sure why WP decided to send your comment to my spam folder. Good thing I check on a regular basis. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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After watching the movie about her, I was amazed that she stuck to her guns and continued to make it a lifetime work. I am old enough to remember the sugar cubes and took them in school. Great educational story.
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Dear Jan,
Aren’t we fortunate not to have come down with the disease? Amazing that no one has to be vaccinated in this day and age. Kudos to Drs. Salk and Sabin. Thank you, m’luv.
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Querida Rochelle,
A well documented story of an illness that affected so many.
My hubby was one of those victims. His strong and way-ahead-of-her-time
mother wouldn’t hear of him never walking again. Praise her strength and
fortitude. He does have a slight, very slight limp but he can walk and overcame
the disease.
Hope you have a wonderfully safe and peacefil weekend.
Abrazos y Carino, mi amiga
Be safe … Be healthy … Be happy
Isadora 😎😍
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Querida Isadora,
Gracias a Dios por la madre de su esposo. Muchas gracias mi amiga. 😀
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Es verdad, su Mama lo adoraba.
El y su hermana. 💜
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A lovely tribute to Sister Kenny, Rochelle. I remember when the polio vaccine was developed. I was in grade school when I took it. One of my best friends was given the task by her mother to message here youngest brother’s arm affected by the disease. He was left with no effects.
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Dear Suzanne,
I remember both the shots and the oral vaccine. I was so happy for the latter. 😉 So many children were stricken. In retrospect I’m grateful that neither my brother nor I came down with it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My brother, twenty years older than me, had whooping cough and my mother said it scared her half to death. It seems every generation catches something that doesn’t yet have a vaccine. I caught mumps when I was an adult and my children caught chickenpox. —- Suzanne
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What an inspiring story! I love how often your story of the week teaches me something hopeful about the world like this. 🙂 Just goes to show what is possible when we think outside the box.
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Dear Anne,
I think I’ve learned more since I’ve started writing than I ever learned in school Hooray for Google! 😉 I’m happy to share and inspire. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the spirit of your feisty grandmother. Get a sense that her alternative treatment was enhanced by her positive attitude to life.
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Dear Francine,
Attitude often determines altitude, doesn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Love Nan, what a woman!
A tough existence and as children too… lot of battles to be overcome
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Thank you for a lovely comment, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle 😀
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So very interesting. And aslo sad…and happy. Thanks Rochelle.
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