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Post Polio Syndrome
Many individuals who contracted poliomyelitis earlier in their lives began to report new health problems that were similar to polio but often occurring on their "good side". This has been established to be the late effects of polio but the most accepted name is Post Polio Syndrome or PPS.

The most common symptoms of this are:
- excessive fatigue not related to activity or relieved by rest
- increased weakness in unaffected and/or previously affected or paralysed areas
- muscle and joint pain
- reduced endurance
- sensitivity to cold
- difficulty sleeping
- problems with breathing and swallowing
- sensitivity to anesthetics and medication

If you are having difficulty with one or more of these symptoms and you had polio previously, you may have Post Polio Syndrome. It is important to TELL YOUR DOCTOR you had polio. Many health care professionals were not practicing when the polio outbreaks occurred and consequently have had little or no experience with polio survivors as patients. Do not dismiss the early signs of post polio as a normal part of the aging process, ask questions and seek help. There are options available to help someone with PPS have a better life. 

Our Mission 
The mission of the Post Polio Awareness and support Society of British Columbia (PPASS BC) is to provide support and information to:

• those who had polio

• family, friends and interested members of the community

• those who now have Post Polio Syndrome so they do not feel overwhelmed and alone

PPASS BC is a non-profit society that is the link to:

• members within our Area Groups

• members and our Board of Directors

• members and the Provincial office in Victoria

• a forum for all people and groups to discuss their situation and how best to deal with it.

At PPASS BC we provide our members with:

• bi-monthly newsletters - PPASS NEWS - containing articles of interest, helpful - ideas, stories, upcoming events and a central medical insert.

• mini conferences with speakers, presenters, displays and information within local communities for our members, their families and supporters and the  medical community.

• access to our Resource Center which provides articles, books, audio and video tapes, CDs 
  

PPASS BC brings awareness to the community by:

• providing educational information and presentations about polio and PPS
  dissemination of information about the facts, research and treatments available for those with Post Polio Syndrome

• information about assistive devices and helpful suggestions for life 

We believe that knowledge is power and PPASS BC will continue to bring awareness to our communities. We encourage members of the medical community to contact us for information about polio and post polio. We strongly support our members and remind them that PPASS BC is there for them - they are not alone.