Mark Sternhagen, a polio survivor, is on a mission to promote vaccine advocacy, stemming from his own battle with the disease. Contracting polio at just 18 months old, he attributes his condition to not receiving the vaccine available in his hometown of Scotland, South Dakota, in December 1956.
During that time, his siblings and cousins received the vaccine, but a fever prevented him from being vaccinated. Sternhagen firmly believes that vaccination could have changed his life significantly. “There is no question in my mind that had I been vaccinated, I wouldn’t have gotten polio,” he stated.
The Impact of Polio
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can lead to paralysis and affects the nervous system. Survivors may later develop post-polio syndrome, resulting in new muscle weakness and pain. Before the Salk vaccine’s introduction, polio was one of the most dreaded illnesses in America. Sternhagen was hospitalized in a polio ward in Omaha, Nebraska, and recalls relying on an iron lung for respiration during his treatment.
Struggles and Triumphs
After his hospital stay, Sternhagen returned home and began school, using braces and crutches to walk. He initially resisted using a wheelchair, which he now reflects on as a mistake. Early acceptance might have allowed him to maintain his mobility longer.
Eventually, he attended a specialized school for polio-affected children, initially known as the Crippled Children’s Hospital and School in Sioux Falls, now called LifeScape. Sternhagen credits this experience with providing him independence that shaped his path forward, despite his initial reluctance to attend.
The End of an Era
Graduating high school in 1973 marked him as one of the last students with polio at that institution. Before the Salk vaccine became widely used, over 15,000 individuals annually were paralyzed due to polio in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sternhagen pointed out that many polio victims ended up with life-altering disabilities, emphasizing the vaccine’s life-saving role.
Today, Sternhagen lives in Brookings and remains active in the community, having authored two children’s books and a memoir titled “Normal for Me.” He is also involved with Immunize South Dakota, advocating for vaccinations to prevent similar health crises.
Vaccination Advocacy
The polio vaccine is now an essential part of the childhood immunization schedule, with the first dose recommended at two months of age. Sternhagen’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vaccinations in preventing life-altering diseases and promoting better health.
