It is well known among most Rotarians the long and constant battle Rotary International has waged against polio worldwide since 1979.  While the goal to eliminate the disease hasn't been completely reached, we are getting so very close.  The Centerville Rotary Club has had first hand experience learning about the struggles of the disease from Club President Jen Knudson's mother Kathy Anderson.   Kathy visited the local club during the week of World Polio Day to share her story.

Kathy was one of several local children to obtain polio.   It was a perilous time for the family as the doctor would say things like "if she doesn't die" instead of "when she gets better".  Fortunately, she survived the disease with some mild symptoms such as back pain and weakness in the limbs that remain with her to this day.  We are very thankful that we are so far removed from polio that we only know the horrors of this disease from hearing stories from people like Kathy.  But there are still some remote places that polio remains a reality.  This gives us all the more incentive as Rotarians to continue the fight.   The Centerville Rotary club would like to thank Kathy for sharing her amazing story.