Rotary Foundation Minute

Ann Lee Hussey is a member of the Rotary Club of Portland Sunrise in Maine. She contracted polio as a 17-month toddler in 1955 and was paralyzed from the waist down. After many surgeries and physical therapy she is able to walk with limitations as an adult. Her husband introduced her to Rotary and she naturally was drawn to support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts. She took her first international trip to participate in immunization efforts in 2001. What she saw broke her heart and made her even more committed to helping children avoid the disease.

She has now completed over 20 trips to a number of countries, including Nigeria and other countries where great success has been realized. Her visits include vaccinations as well as efforts to thank the local workers who help Rotarians in their immunizations. She is proud to say that her journey with polio will continue and urges all Rotarians to support the ongoing plan to finally end the threat of the disease.