SUPPORT GROUP HELPS Polio’s crippling effects threatening a comeback FORTY YEARS after abandoning his crutches polio survivor John Rayer is once again dependent on them to walk long distances. By KIM PEMBERTON News Reporter Rayer, one of the first British Columbians to fall victim to polio in 1946, now finds he suffers from a related condition, known as post-polio syndrome. Researchers have not been able to determine the exact cause of the condition, which causes muscle weakness, fatigue and joint and muscle pain, but its victims were striken during the polio epidemic that swept North America before the discovery of the polio vaccine in the 1950s. “It’s been a very disheartening experience for a lot of people,’ said Rayer, a 55-year-old West Vancouver resident. “What we thought was deep his- tory has resurfaced. People who were able ta graduate away from canes, crutches, wheelchairs and iron lungs are having to return to them.”” Rayer, a retired marketing direc- tor, discovered he suffered from the condition, properly known as / eautiful hand-made Christmas wreaths and holi- ay lay crafts to put you and your home in a festive mood! ENTER OUR WREATH MAKING CONTEST. post-poliomyelitis muscular atrophy, three years ago after reading an article on the subject ia a U.S. magazine. Until that time doctors had in- correctly diagnosed his condition, and encouraged him to undertake a more strenuous exercise pro- gram. NO CURE But, Rayer found out later this program aggravated his condition. “There is no cure for the syn- drome. But I guess the best theory is | should take it as easy as possi- ble.’’ He explained polio paralyzes its victims by killing, off the spinal cord’s motor-nerve cells, which control various muscles. Muscles that had fallen slack begin to work again when the healthy nerve cells sprout new connecting fibres and take over the cells destroyed by polio. He said the years the healthy nerve cells spent compensating the destroyed cells have taken a’ toll, adding about 15 to 20 per cent of polio victims suffer post-polio syndrome. “Three years ago I began to suf- fer from extreme fatigue. 1 had this program of walking around the seawalk, but I found J couldn’: walk 500 metres, whereas before ! walked 2,000 metres. “t couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on, and I went through a barage of tests.’” Now that his condition has been confirmed, Rayer says he walks a delicate line between relaxing strained muscles and exercising the enes that need work. SUPPORT GROUP , Rayer found support in the Vic- toria-based Post Polio Awareness and Support Society. The group’s next meeting is Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Pearson Hospital in Vancouver. So far there are over 300 members in the B.C. support group, but Rayer said organizers believe there are another 1,000 people in the province who suffer from the disease. He said even if polio survivors are not interested in joining the group, organizers would like to hear from them in order to com- plete a fact-finding study they have undertaken. Rayer is the contact person for North and West Vancouver. His number is 922-0219. CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR December 5 - 14 Lonsdale Quay Market's First Annual Craft Fair gets underway December 5 with a fabulous festive array of stocking stuffers and unique gift-giving ideas. 29 - Wednesday, December 3, 1986 - Butcher shop celebrates North Shore News ; NEWS photo Ferry Peters THE POLIO struggle is not over for North Shore resident John Rayer. Rayer first contracted the disease in the 1940s but was later able to live without many of its crippling symptoms. Now, crutches in hand, Rayer must battle with polio’s aftermath. TINY TOTES# by Cooper TURTLE TOTE Made with durable water resistant nyton. Zippered mouth and foam underside 19°x11"x8" __ caries almost anything. Bring your hand-made wreaths to Lonsdale Quay Market and you could win a damper filled with holiday treats courtesy of our merchants ~ just in time for Christmas! The Fair will feature home decorations, jewellery, pottery, fabric crafts, toys and more by over 21 top local craftspeople and artisans. ~ , Be sure to enter our Grand Prize Raffle to win one of /0 Grand Prizes donated by Fair participants. Starting December 8, Lonsdale Quay Market will be open holiday hours 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday through Friday until Christmas. Watch for more upcoming events as Lonsdale Quay Market celebrates the sparkling spirit of Christmas! Enter in any of our three wreath categories — traditionallevergreen, ethnic/ cultural, or craft. Pick up and return your entry form to the Lonsdale Quay Market Information Desk. Your wreaths must be submitted for judging by Saturday, December 13. All entries will be on display throughout the Market until the judging at 4 p.m., Saturday, December 20. Richmond Centre N. Park Royal 276-2606 Open 7 Days A Week, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Thurs. & fi til 9 p.m., Weekends & Holidays 'til 6 p.m. 922-9650 Restaurants/Pub Open to Midnight 2 Hours Free Parking