Remembering Polio
Posted by: Barbara Bibel
Although polio is no longer a major problem thanks to the Salk and Sabin vaccines, some of us are old enough to remember when it was a very scary disease. PBS has produced a documentary about it that is part of the American Experience series. it includes personal accounts of polio survivors, information about the scientists who worked to eradicate the disease, and the philanthropic efforts that still exist. The film is based on David Oshinsky’s Pulitzer-Prize winning book Polio in America. You can watch it or get a transcript at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/polio/. The site also includes teachers’ guides, interviews with polio survivors, and a list of related books and Web sites. It is a great resource for students.
