x
Breaking News
More () »

Polio survivors from Parkland reunite six decades later

When Polio hit in the 1950s, hundreds of children in the Dallas area were taken to Parkland Hospital.

Sue Perry has always had a good memory. Sadly she also remembers the very difficult times, like when she was four years old and had contracted Polio.

"Everybody was afraid of the disease," Perry said.

When Polio hit in the 1950s, hundreds of children in the Dallas area were taken to Parkland Hospital. Perry remembers with incredible detail what that polio ward looked like. She remembers "hundreds" of children in that ward while she was being treated there. She especially remembers the moments with her parents while they stopped by for hospital visitation. It only lasted for an hour each day, and when it was time for the parents to leave, Perry remembers the pain of them leaving.

"The whole ward erupted in crying when those lights would dim," she said.

Perry also remembers another young child who was in the polio ward about 20 feet from her: Paul Alexander, who was also from Dallas.

"Just the iron lung...the yellow iron lung that fascinated me. I knew who it was. I knew it was Paul," she remembers.

Paul Alexander of Dallas still uses that iron lung to help him breathe. In early February, the two met again after 65 years.

"It was a real surprise. I didn't expect to meet anybody from then," said Alexander.

Only Sue remembered Paul, but they both remember a very scary time of their childhood.

"We were the warriors, the fighters...still are," said Alexander.

"He was so excited to meet somebody and share something that we both had experienced," said Perry.

Paul would go on to be a Dallas attorney and Sue started a family and continued to lay down deep roots in the community. The one thing both can say is they survived Polio.

"I never ever dreamed that I would meet Paul Alexander, never!" Perry said.

Twenty feet apart, in a polio ward 65 years ago, and now in a room making up for lost time.

Before You Leave, Check This Out