World Polio Day A Personal Connection For Souths Cricket Trio

World Polio Day, observed on October 24, holds special significance for three members of the Souths Cricket Club. Second-grade players Paul Anderson and Shane Barford both have family members who were affected by the poliovirus, while Sanjay Patel is himself a polio survivor, having been struck by the disease as a six-month-old in Khanpur, India.
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water, and can attack the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis. While there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine, which Rotary and its partners have used to immunise over 2.5 billion children worldwide. Today, only Afghanistan and Pakistan remain endemic with wild polio, while the rest of the world has been declared free of wild polio since 2020. Australia began routinely vaccinating against polio in 1956, with the last polio epidemic occurring in 1961–1962, the last locally acquired case in 1972, and the nation officially declared polio-free in 2000.
For Paul Anderson, the fight against polio is deeply personal. His mother, Dawn, contracted the disease as a 21-month-old during one of Australia’s worst polio epidemics between 1945 and 1954.
Paul recalls, "Growing up, I knew mum had a ‘smaller’ leg because of polio, but it never worried her or stopped her from being involved in anything.
“I remember her chasing me around the backyard with a jug cord when I misbehaved as a 10-year-old, so it certainly didn’t slow her down.
“Mum grew up like most children of her time—riding bikes, fishing, and playing with her friends—despite spending years receiving treatment for polio at Montrose in Brisbane, a facility for children with polio and other disabilities.
“As mum got older, her mobility was more affected due to polio’s impact on her joints and muscles. It's only in the last 40 years that I’ve really understood the toll polio can take. But despite her challenges, Mum never complained. She counted herself fortunate, even though she didn’t have it easy."
Shane Barford’s late grandfather, Jack, had a similar story. Jack contracted polio in London at the age of 10 and was told he would never walk unaided again after the disease affected his left calf and thigh muscles. However, Jack proved many wrong, becoming an accomplished athlete, playing high-level soccer where he represented Warwick, cricket, squash, and A-grade hockey in Brisbane.
He was also a lifesaver at North Burleigh, and there is even a legendary story of him wrestling a shark from the water. Despite the limitations of the disease and its long-term effects, Jack remained active throughout his life. Like Paul’s mother, Jack never had access to a vaccine, as the first polio vaccines were not developed until the mid-1950s.
Sanjay Patel contracted polio as a baby, just six months old, in an area of India where vaccination was not yet readily available. The disease manifested with fevers followed by seizures and paralysis in his right leg.
Sanjay underwent extensive rehabilitation, including massage, heat therapy, and surgeries to restore movement in his joints. His treatment also involved wearing plaster casts for over two months. Despite these early challenges, Sanjay remains positive, attributing his resilience to the support of family, friends, and others. Today, he is a leading run-scorer for his club this season, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground, demonstrating that polio hasn’t held him back from excelling on the sporting field.
Globally, polio was first documented in 1894, and thanks to widespread vaccination programs, cases have been reduced by 99% since 1988. However, until polio is eradicated, every child remains at risk. World Polio Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in the fight against polio and the continued efforts needed to end the disease for good.
To learn more about World Polio Day and how you can support the cause, visit www.endpolio.org.

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Paul Anderson, Shane Barford, and Sanjay Patel, all members of Souths Cricket Club, share a personal connection to polio. Paul and Shane have family members affected by the poliovirus, while Sanjay is a polio survivor himself. Photos supplied
Sanjay Patel, a member of Souths Cricket Club and a polio survivor, was struck by the disease at just six months old. Despite the challenges he faced, Sanjay has demonstrated resilience and determination, excelling as a leading run scorer for Souths

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