No.581 Constance (Connie) Elaine Vellekoop, 2011

File — Box: 66, Folder: 4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Vellekoop (b. 1945) was born in Lorain, Ohio. Her parents were serving as missionaries in Indonesia when Connie contracted polio at age 18 months. She describes what she's been told about getting sick and the course of treatment, first in a hospital, then at home with the "Sister Kenny" treatment administered by her father. She was afflicted in both legs up to her mid torso. She used a left leg brace built by her father. The family returned to the US in 1953, and Connie received several surgeries in a Los Angeles children's orthopedic hospital between ages eight and eleven. She used full-length braces for years after her surgeries. She describes the surgeries and hospitalizations and She discusses post-polio challenges. Connie completed her music degree. She teaches piano and is a published writer.
Polio Oral History Project.
Interviewer: Becky B. Lloyd

Dates

2011

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.