[A young boy with polio]

[A young boy with polio]

Collection:
Images from the History of Medicine (IHM)
Contributor(s):
Darbois, Dominique, photographer
Language(s):
English
French
Format:
Still image
Subject(s):
Nurses
Orthopedic Equipment
Child
Abstract:
A nurse is ready to offer assistance to a young boy struggling to walk with the aid of crutches and leg braces. Verso: WHO/58866. Japan-Polio. Shigenori Kameyama was little more than a year old when the polio virus found him in the hamlet of Tskuni on Kyushe Island, some 1,800 Kms, from Tokyo. He became completely paralyzed. Undaunted his parents-a humble family of limited means- decided to move to Tokyo where, several years later, Shigenori was admitted to the Seiahi Ryogo En, a hosptial, school and home for crippled children founded in 1937 by Dr. Kenji Takagi pioneer of rehabilitation work in Japan. There he began the long battle to regain part use of his limbs- just one of many Japanese children who have been helped indirectly by WHO and UNICEF by the provision of fellowships for Japanese health personnel to go abroad and study the latest methods of rehabilitation. After two years of patient endeavour by Shigenorin and his nurses, he manages to make one uncertain step forward on crutches. "I can't I really can't" his expression seems to say (photos 5886a, b and c). Then cames triumph! Shigenori manages to hobble forward a distance of five feet.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Copyright Information:
World Health Organization; World Health Organization website
Extent:
1 photoprint.
NLM Unique ID:
101437315 (See catalog record)
NLM Image ID:
A014068
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101437315