| ...they are high achievers - Type A personalities |
| ...they worked hard to overcome their original disability and don’t want to be told they may need help again now - even if they do! |
| ...they may have already tried to get help from other medical professionals without success |
| ...they have a fear of hospitals and doctors due to poor previous experiences |
| ...they often have emotional issues still from the time of acute polio that have not been resolved; now having to revisit this creates fear, anger, confusion, resistance eg “need a wheelchair?” - “no way - not me!” |
| ...they distrust us - they had enough of doctors and hospitals when they had acute polio |
| ...they are masters of disguise; pretending to be normal - use trick movements, clever clothes |
| ...health professionals dealing with issues of their polio make them feel & act like children again |
| ...talking about polio was often a taboo subject in their homes; not talked about with family |
| ...they have an aversion to aids & equipment - see using them as a backward step |
| ...they have a busy lifestyle - “if I don’t do it - who will?” |
| ...they take on heavy physical work - “I’ll show them I’m just as good - if not better!” |
| ...they retire - but the daily routines kept me going |
| ...on taking holidays - tend to overdo it - this may be the last straw to break the camel’s back |