June 2006

The President’s Message:

The “Can Do” Spirit…

Franklin Delano Roosevelt represents the “Can Do” Spirit for polio survivors as well as all Americans. However, he didn’t start off that way. Yes, he was a young successful politician with great promise, who was born into a very wealthy family with a silver spoon in his mouth, but that’s not what defines the “Can Do” Spirit.

In the prime of his life and political career, Roosevelt contracted polio and was paralyzed from the waist down at age 39. Even though he was devastated by this twist of fate, Roosevelt wouldn’t give up hope that he would walk again. He heard news about a health spa in Georgia that was helping polio victims regain muscle strength by exercising in the spa’s mineral-rich pool water. Upon arrival Roosevelt was appalled by the rundown conditions of the buildings and dirt roads of the rural town. Although he exercised in the warm pool water daily, Roosevelt never regained strength in his legs… but what he did gain was far greater in the scope of life. Filled with humility, his compassion and love grew for the people of the low income community and the many hopeful polio victims that came to the spa for help. Roosevelt purchased the 19th century resort and built the first polio rehabilitation and treatment center in the world. He went on to achieve great things in spite of his disability including President of the United States.

I believe that being thrust into living with the effects of polio is the very thing that formed Roosevelt’s determination and “Can Do” Spirit. The unique experience he encountered after being forced to live among disabled polio victims and the people of the low income community, helped Roosevelt to gain a deep insightful character, making him the most well loved President of all time. His radio broadcasts, called “Fireside Chats,” brought the President up close and personal into homes across America, as families gathered around the radio in their living rooms to listen to the President’s words of encouragement during the Great Depression. Roosevelt led the United States through World War II and the Great Depression and was the only President to be elected to serve four terms in office. However, year after year polio epidemics continued occurring all over the United States, affecting mostly children by the thousands. When all hope of a cure for polio was gone, Roosevelt stepped up to the challenge and established the March of Dimes to fund research for the development of a polio vaccine and to help polio victims with medical costs and equipment. I believe Roosevelt’s greatest accomplishment was conquering the emotional bondages of his physical condition left by the ravages of polio. Who knows how history would have been affected if Roosevelt had not turned his tragedy into triumph. This defines the true meaning of the “Can Do” Spirit.

These are some of President Roosevelt’s famous remarks that we as polio survivors can embrace today:

• “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
• “When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
• “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.”
• “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today; let us move forward with strong and active faith.”

Just as Franklin D. Roosevelt, polio survivors today are compelled by the effects of polio to be the best we can be in spite of the challenges we face everyday. There is no doubt that the members of the Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc. possess that same “Can Do” Spirit. I have never been involved in a group of people with so much determination to do what needs to be done to help others, so unselfishly. The love and support for each other and the high commitment levels and willpower to achieve the purposes of the group, is a rare quality today. During my involvement with CEPSA, I have learned so much about what happened to me when I contracted polio over 50 years ago and what is happening to me now as I experience the late effects of polio.

I would like to share an excerpt from the book I am writing entitled, “Walking With Jesus.” The book, written in poem form, tells my life’s story which begins when my brother and I contracted polio and continues through today as president of CEPSA. For those who don’t know me, I have been using full length leg braces and crutches to walk since I was two years old. Walking with Jesus by faith has given me the strength to make it through the earlier years of my life with joy in my heart and now as I face Post Polio Syndrome.

From Walking with Jesus

“Faith is the assurance of things we hope for and the evidence of things we cannot see; It’s the substance of confidence established in the depths of our heart, defining what we believe.”

“Faith is sight unseen, like a soft gentle whisper in a raging wind; It’s a trust in God that continues on and on, like an echo with no end.”

“By faith I surf high on the waves of life and when obstacles come to take me under life’s sea; I will ride the waves of each challenge into the arms of Jesus, waiting on shore for me.”

“By faith we live above difficult circumstances of life by confronting them, not giving into them; God’s grace is sufficient to help us through anything we face, all we do is turn to Him.”

“Faith sets God’s plan for our life in motion, so press toward the goal and reach for the stars; Let’s run with endurance the race set before us and seek the call of God that beckons from afar.”

God Bless…

Diane Davis, President

---

June Meeting: Be Prepared for Hurricane Season…

The program for our meeting on June 24th is “Emergency Preparedness Plan for People with a Disability.”

Our speaker, Phillip M. Webber, has been with Chatham Emergency Management Agency since 1996 and has served as Director for the past seven years. Prior to his appointment as Director, he served for two years as CEMA’s Deputy Director and Operations Officer.

A native of Decatur, Georgia, Phillip Webber attended DeKalb College before enlisting in the Coast Guard at the age of eighteen. He has more than 25 years experience in Federal Emergency Response, Search and Rescue, and Law Enforcement. Since his arrival in Savannah in 1985, Phillip served as Executive Officer of Coast Guard Station Tybee, 1st Lieutenant aboard the Patrol Boat Key Largo and as an Investigator for Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Savannah. He had direct involvement in emergency response planning and operations for local events such as Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Amazon Venture Oil Spill, the Powell Duffryn chemical fire, the 1996 Olympics and the 2004 G-8 Summit.

Phillip Webber is currently serving with the following organizations: Savannah / Chatham Local Emergency Planning Committee, Chatham County Citizen Corps Council, Regional All-Hazard Council, Emergency Management Association of Georgia, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Emergency Managers Association, Exchange Club of Savannah Board of Directors, President of Savannah Children’s Theater, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, Emergency Management Accreditation Program, E-911 Advisory Council Committee.

Protect What You Got – Get the Shot!

Coastal Health District, Everybody Counts Immunization Coalition

Cristina Pasa, with the Coastal Health District is calling on community groups to help promote the importance of the flu shot. Cristina spoke with Diane Davis and invited CEPSA to join the Flu Shot Campaign. She said that CEPSA is a great advocate for vaccinations and our involvement would be quite valuable to the project. Pictures of our group will be taken after the June 24th meeting by Cristina Pasa

CEPSA General Meeting Minutes

May 27, 2006

President Diane Davis opened the meeting at 10:10 AM by welcoming everyone including, newcomers Allen and Eloise Igou. Everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan Shehan read an excerpt from “Every Man Has a Mission to Help His Fellow Beings” by Cardinal Gibbons in the book The New Joy of Words, and Dan followed the reading by saying a prayer.

Ruth Parham thanked the group for the cards and support when Junie’s father died. Cheryl Brackin represented us at the service.

Condolences were given to Cheryl Brackin, whose aunt died last week.

Diane then called the business meeting to order. The minutes were approved as written, and

Treasurer Marty Foxx gave the Treasurer’s Report.

Project Reports:

• Dan Shehan stated that he had copies of a map of the historic district for us. He was going to meet with his committee to start on their project after the meeting.
• Cheryl Brackin announced that her committee was going to meet in June and hopefully have a packet ready by the June meeting.
• Sandra Bath announced that she went to visit Jack Lightfoot in Tiger, GA and he gave her another book for our library. It is entitled: Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom by James MacGregor Burns. Thank you, Jack!

Program: Sandra Bath gave an overview of the documentary The Last Child: The Global Race to End Polio from American Public Television prior to showing the DVD. The program was very well done. A brief discussion followed the program.

Six door prizes were given. Janet DiClaudio won a backscratcher donated by Ruth Parham; Sandra Bath and Dot Parkhurst each won a pair of Royal Caribbean slippers donated by Janet DiClaudio; Allen Igou won a car wash donated by Auto Shine; and, Ruth Parham and Diane Davis both won Royal Caribbean beach towels donated by Janet DiClaudio.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon. The next meeting will be held on June 24, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. in the Candler Heart and Lung Building Conference Room #2.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet DiClaudio, Secretary

Attendance at May Meeting:

---

Nutrition and You

By Marty Foxx

Healthy Guilt-free Foods: In my research about low calorie foods to enjoy when hunger threatens to overtake our resolve, I found some suggested foods that won’t sabotage our weight-control program. Tea, hot or cold, with a sugar substitute helps to fill that empty spot and may prevent a wide range of ailments. Berries should be part of everyone’s daily intake; they’re loaded with vitamins and minerals. Cook up some egg whites in nonfat spray; they have no fat, lots of protein, and no cholesterol. Remember that water and weight loss are tied together. It helps metabolize fat, set body temperature, and purge our bodies of harmful substances. Munch on crispy fresh veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, celery, and squash. Fun will just keep coming if we choose sugar free jello with nonfat topping. Make it in those cute little bowls and have it ready for hunger attacks any time. Another great choice [yes, we have choices!] is citrus fruits! They are overall nutritional giants we should include daily. Just say “yes” to any of these low calorie answers to hunger.

---

In Memory of Lilla Mae Kicklighter

Mrs. Kicklighter was a regular attendee at CEPSA meetings during the first year or two of its existence, and she was a pioneer in the fight for equality for people with disabilities in Chatham county.

Inspired by the needs of her son, Bobby, Ms. Kicklighter and a handful of other people started a private school, the first school in the county to offer education and training to disabled students who had been turned away from the public schools.

Today the Kicklighter Resource Center teaches independent living, offers resources, training, and support. Ms. Kicklighter’s life offers proof that one person can make a difference!

Member Concerns…

Our deepest condolences to Junie Parham in the death of his father and Cheryl Brackin in the death of her Aunt.

We are also concerned for the following CEPSA members and spouses:

• Eunice and Tom Newcomer
• Dale and Harriett Merritt
• Betty Kipp
• BJ Vance

Please remember those mentioned and their families in your prayers.

---

Happy Birthday to:

• July 21: Cornelia Rollins
• August 1: Dave Vance
• August 11: Archie Ivey
• August 24: Betty Kipp
• August 27: Jim Veccia
• August 29: Doris Phillips

---

Polio Eradication Project Update:

Global Case Counts: As of June 6, 2006 …. 461 for the year thus far.