Harold A. Decker, MD, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Becky B. Lloyd, June 26, 2010

Transcript (43 pages) of interview by Becky B. Lloyd with Dr. Harold A. Decker on June 26, 2010. Accompanied by Decker's 7-page essay, ""Paralytic polio: the experience of a medical student""

Decker (b. 1932), born in Salt Lake City, Utah, discusses his family, growing up and schooling. He contracted polio while in medical school at the University of Utah. He describes getting sick, including overall painful spasms through his body. He was admitted to the hospital for a spinal tap, which he describes. He was put in isolation for a period of time, then bed rest for one month. He received hot pack therapy during that time, then was placed on a general medical ward for 3 weeks at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City, and started physical therapy, which he describes. When he left the hospital with crutches, he could walk short distances. He also had weakness in his arms, ongoing body spasms (continuing to today) and diaphragmatic cramps (also continuing). With continued therapy he regained full ability in his legs. Decker completed medical school and internship, and served four years of military service in the US Public Health Service, mostly in Ohio, then on a HOPE mission to Vietnam in 1961. He describes these experiences, which included delivering vaccines of all types and participating in "Sabin Sundays." This interview is part of the Polio Oral History Project. Interviewer: Becky Lloyd