Polio hasn’t stopped her from enjoying life

Sisters Liz and Viola Elias hang out together as much as possible.

“I got polio when I was a year old and had a number of surgeries. The last one was in 1989 when they fused my ankle because my foot was turning in.

“Growing up, I always used braces or crutches. I didn’t like wearing my braces, so I never wore dresses or shorts. I always wore jeans. I never got to wear high heels. Other than that, I did pretty well.

“When I was in the hospital, I met a lot of people who were in wheelchairs or bedridden. I was one of the lucky ones who was actually able to walk.”

How are you doing today?
“Polio never really goes away. Walking is the hardest part for me now. I have to be really, really careful. I don’t have too much strength in my hand anymore and I have to use a cane. But I think I’m in a good place overall.

“I have two grown kids who are married, and I get to take care of my 4-month-old grandbaby. Plus, the two of us hang out a lot. We’re always trying to do new things together.”

— Viola Elias