From 1949 until 1955, when a vaccine was introduced, a polio epidemic struck fear in the hearts of every parent. While the numbers were relatively small on a per capita basis, the impacts of polio, which included paralysis or even death, were very real.
The was a leader in the fight against polio. The organization pushed for a vaccine to rid the world of the crippling disease, but also held fundraisers to purchase iron lungs. The iron lung machines could help to keep alive polio victims who suffered from paralysis affecting their ability to breath, and hopefully then allowing their bodies to recover.
Polio was an equal opportunity virus and no family was immune from its effects.
On Nov. 7, 1950, Nina “HoneyBear” Warren, whose father was then California Gov. Earl Warren, woke up with symptoms of polio. The 17-year-old high school senior was rushed to the hospital. The day was significant as it was Election Day and Warren was running for his history making third term as governor, which he won while spending the day at his daughter’s bedside.
Of course, Nina’s illness was reported all over the country. She was able to recover and return to the governor’s mansion for physical therapy to restore her paralyzed lower limbs.
In spring 1951, an annual polio fundraising drive was held across the country. At that time, Nina was still in recovery from her bout of polio. With this in mind during the polio drive, teacher Gertrude Easterling’s fifth-grade students at sent a get well card to the governor’s daughter.
Much to the students’ surprise and excitement, they received a reply to their letter, not from Nina, but from her father, Gov. Earl Warren. According to an article in the Riverside Daily Press on April 9, 1951, Warren wrote a very gracious letter, saying that Nina was not yet able to answer the thousands of cards and letters she had received so he was writing for her. The letter went on to say that Nina was making satisfactory progress, was swimming every day, could now walk a little, and that they looked forward to her full recovery.
Later in 1951, Warren and his wife and daughter landed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino so he could open that year’s . Nina, still in a wheelchair, was going to spend time recuperating at Arrowhead Hot Springs Hotel.
Happily, it appears Nina did recover from her polio paralysis. She was able to graduate from high school on time, went on to college, married, and had at least two children. Meanwhile, with the creation of a vaccine in 1955, stories like this one became a thing of the past in the United States.
If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com.
