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Polio Outreach Officers:
L to R: Mike Pierce, Deanna Lile, Linda Donahue, and Irma Heilbron.
Our Beginnings
In the 1980s, when a dozen or so Connecticut polio survivors began to experience symptoms of post-polio syndrome, they gathered for support and information.
Our founder and first president, Ruth C. Gregory, led this group. What began as a small network, soon expanded to its present size of over 200 members from all corners of the state.
Officers:
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President:
Linda Wheeler Donahue
Linda became President of the Polio Outreach of Connecticut in 2001. She is a polio survivor, a disability activist, writer, speaker, and professor emeritus of humanities.
She has published over a hundred articles worldwide on subjects of positive living, disability dignity, and increasing happiness through conscious choices. A long-time advocate
of disability rights, Linda was invited by President Bush, Sr. to attend the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. She is a frequent presenter at conferences,
focusing on the social/emotional complexities of disability. Her avocation is tending to her gardens, with a collection of over 50 rose bushes.
To contact Linda directly,
Click Here.
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Vice President:
Michael Pierce
Mike is both Vice President and Treasurer of Polio Outreach, and also held the office of Program Chair for several years. He has been a member of the organization since 1996.
Mike served in the Marine Corps and was discharged in 1964 due to complications from the late effects of polio. An avid world traveler, he lived and worked in many “hot spots”
such as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Egypt, Malaysia and Sumatra. When Mike returned to the United States, he was employed as District Maintenance Bridge Engineer for the state
of Connecticut. He took disability retirement in 2000 and still enjoys traveling in his retirement.
To contact Mike directly, Click Here.
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Program Chairperson:
Irma Heilbron
In 1992 Irma attended her first meeting of the organization, then known as the "Polio Think Tank." She is Program Chairperson and formerly held a number of other offices such as librarian and newsletter
editor. At the tender age of six months, Irma contracted polio in her native country of Germany. She came to the United States when she was five where her family was given assistance from the March of
Dimes to purchase her first real brace. Irma recently retired from her career as an insurance agent. She is married to Don Heilbron, TPOC past president, and together they enjoy the company of their
children and five grandchildren.
To contact Irma directly, Click Here.
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Secretary:
Deanna Lile
Dee joined the Polio Outreach of Connecticut in 2000 and was elected Secretary in 2004. She was born and raised in Michigan where she contracted polio at age six. Polio damaged
her spine and she later underwent two spinal fusions to try to limit curvature of the spine. Dee married her high school sweetheart, Rich, in 1963 and they have two children.
Rich comes to all the Polio Outreach meetings with Dee and often volunteers his talents to help the group. Dee took early retirement in 1981 as a result of the effects of post-polio
syndrome. Dee and Rich greatly enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.
To contact Dee directly, Click Here.
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Meeting Manager:
Justine Guckin
Justine is our youngest member, having contracted polio at the age of 2 in 1969. She joined Polio Outreach in 1989 and has greatly enhanced our organization with her energy, warmth, and enthusiasm.
Justine has been on the Board of Directors for 15 years and has held a number of leadership positions; she is currently our Meeting Manager. She has two children, ages 17 and 18 and is
engaged to Barron Grasso, who frequently serves as Master of Ceremonies at our social occasions and is always very helpful to the organization. They recently purchased a home and are now modifying
it in accordance with the principles of universal design.
To contact Justine directly, Click Here.
Board of Directors/Officers
March 2007 – March 2008
President: Linda Wheeler Donahue
Vice President: Irma Heilbron
Secretary: Deanna Lile
Treasurer: Rosemary Hughes
Program Chair: Irma Heilbron
ViceProgram Chair: Rita Sykora
Meeting Manager: Justine Guckin
Newsletter Editor: Linda Wheeler Donahue
Newsletter Layout and Design: Sarah Farrell
Nomination Chair: Deanna Lile
Library: Irma Heilbron
Sunshine Lady: Rita Sykora
Telephone Tree: Cliff Lueck
TPOC Photographer: Sarah Farrell
Public Relations: Linda Wheeler Donahue
Membership Chair: Linda Wheeler Donahue
Directors at Large: Carol Kana, and Ellen Friis Pederson Sami West
Volunteer Assistants: Jacklyn Duffy, Peter Etzel
Webmaster: Sarah Farrell
Immediate Past President: Don Heilbron
Founder & President Emeritus: Ruth C. Gregory
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