The Polio Journals Lessons from My Mother Anne K Gross

Part memoir, part social commentary, The Polio Journals tells the story of Carol Rosenstiel, the author's mother, who contracted the disease in 1927 at the age of two, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down until her death in 1985. In the 1920s, society viewed polio as a shameful reflection of the dirty lifestyle of its victims, leading Carol's parents to silence all issues related to their daughter's disability, a behavior she adopted for most of her life. Pushed by her parents to be extraordinary in order to make up for her impairment, Carol became a successful musician, married, and raised two children. Towards the end of her life, however, she broke her silence and poured out her thoughts, feelings, and memories in a series of diaries. The Polio Journals explores Carol's inspiring life, probes the changing cultural landscape that impacted her lifelong quest to be accepted by others, and examines the havoc wreaked on families by silencing that which causes shame.

Based on Carol's diaries, The Polio Journals holds a mirror up to society, causing us to confront the uncomfortable fact that we – through our attitudes and assumptions – all too often plant feelings of shame in those who we view as different than ourselves.