Sandra Lee Day Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Becky B. Lloyd, January 31, 2010

Transcript (36 pages) of interview by Becky B. Lloyd with Sandra Lee Day Johnson on January 31, 2010

Johnson (b.1940) was born in Bremerton, Washington. She discusses her family and growing up years. She contracted polio at age eight. She talks about getting sick, going to the hospital for a spinal tap, and being admitted to the isolation unit. She spent approximately three months in St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden, Utah. She relates hospital conditions and treatments received, including hot packs, the Hubbard tank and physical therapy. Her legs were paralyzed and she had difficulty swallowing, which necessitated consuming only pureed food while in the hospital. She was left with a slight limp and weakness in her hands. She continued with outpatient physical therapy for approximately one year and eventually regained enough strength and ability to lead an active lifestyle. In the early 1990's Ms. Johnson started to experience increased weakness and fatigue. She was diagnosed with lupus. Ms. Johnson received a college degree, married and gave birth to two children; she worked in the advertising industry throughout her career. This interview is part of the Polio Oral History Project. Interviewer: Becky Lloyd