No.534 Harold A. Decker, MD, 2010

File — Box: 63, Folder: 14

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

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.”
Polio Oral History Project.
Interviewer: Becky Lloyd

Dates

2010

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.