Re: TRACH VENTILATION VS. NONINVASIVE VENT.

John Prestwich (Johnprestwich(AT)btinternet.com)
Thu, 26 Feb 1998 14:27:43 -0000

I contracted bulbar poliomyelitis in Texas USA in November 1955.I was placed
in an iron-lung and given a tracheotomy, (this was closed 2 years later) I
could not breathe unaided at all.
18 weeks later the American Air Force flew me home to England. I was still
encased in an iron-lung. I stayed in this type of respirator for the next 7
years. In 1962 I was transferred to a different hospital and after several
months it was decided that I should try a different type of respirator - a
Tunnicliffe-jacket. 2 years later I persuaded the authorities to allow me
to try a cuirass. It ventilated me successfully and I'm still using this
type of respirator 36 years later.
I am still completely paralysed below my chin and cannot breathe at all
unaided.
If you are curious and would like to know more about my life call up my
website on the number below.
John Prestwich
UK.

http://www.newsplus.enta.net/jprest.htm