The Strength of a Polio Survivor: Barbara Lewis

17th March 2025

Born in 1929, Barbara Lewis entered a world still recovering from the Great Depression. As she grew up, another invisible threat loomed—polio, one of the most feared diseases of the 20th century. Highly infectious and often striking without warning, polio could cause muscle weakness, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.  It predominantly affected children and young adults, with no known cure at the time.

By the time Barbara reached adulthood, polio remained a terrifying reality, spreading through outbreaks that left thousands permanently disabled. In 1949—just a few years before the first polio vaccine changed the course of medical history—Barbara became one of its victims. Barbara was left paralysed from the waist down. With limited treatment options, the prognosis for recovery was bleak. Barbara clearly remembers overhearing the doctors discussing her case, stating matter-of-factly, "Well, she's got polio. We'll tell the mother, then let the girl know." Yet, Barbara was not one to accept defeat.

A Love Story and a Fight for Recovery 

At the time of her diagnosis, Barbara was engaged to John, a P.E. specialist training to become a teacher at St. Paul’s College, Cheltenham. Their wedding was set for just 14 months later—but polio threatened to change everything.

Determined that their future wouldn’t be defined by her illness, John’s devotion came at an unexpected cost—his college was shut down after he visited Barbara following her polio diagnosis. Despite this, he visited her every day and ran errands, including shopping, for everyone on her ward where she spent eight weeks. He closely observed her physiotherapy sessions, determined to help her regain her strength.

Meanwhile, Barbara and six other patients on her ward faced daily challenges in their fight for recovery. She recalls the encouragement of a Swiss therapist, who one day offered them the ultimate motivation: ‘"We were told we could visit home if we could walk from our beds to the door. We were so determined, we made it.’" This small but significant triumph fuelled Barbara’s drive to defy expectations and reclaim her independence.

Seeing John’s dedication and ability, her physiotherapist trained him in the manipulative exercises used for polio patients. Together, Barbara and John worked tirelessly, refusing to let the disease dictate their future.

The results were astonishing:

After just seven weeks, Barbara was discharged from hospital on the condition that she and John continued their rehabilitation exercises diligently.

📆 September 1949 – Just three months after her diagnosis, Barbara took her first steps.
📆 January 1950 – She returned to work, astonishing doctors with her rapid recovery.
📆 August 1950 – Barbara and John married, not only celebrating their love but defying medical expectations.

Barbara’s incredible recovery caught the attention of the national and local press. The couple’s story appeared in newspapers across the country, and hundreds of letters poured in from all over the world —some from strangers offering money, others desperately seeking advice on the life-changing exercises that had helped Barbara regain her mobility.

True to their humble and selfless nature, Barbara and John responded to every single letter, sharing what they had learned. Yet, they never accepted a penny.

Decades later, Barbara’s mobility challenges persist due to post-polio syndrome, a condition that affects survivors long after their initial illness. Yet, her story is not one of limitation—it is a testament to resilience, love, and the unwavering human spirit.

Barbara’s journey reminds us that even in the face of life-changing obstacles, determination and support can pave the way to extraordinary recovery.

Next, we’ll be sharing the story of Vera Grigg, whose early years were shaped by the realities of wartime Britain. Growing up in Dagenham during the Blitz, she experienced the terror of air raids first-hand. From those turbulent beginnings, she built a lifelong career in education, inspiring generations of students and leaving a lasting impact on the schools and communities she served.  

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This story was written by Jovana Benson, as part of our Women’s History Month series at Foxholes Care Home.