Images(5)

Stick, Pointer

Object number2018.138.1

Date1965

MediumWood

Credit LineGift of Holly Dick

DescriptionCylindrical wooden voting stick. Light tan long wooden dowel.DimensionsLength x Width x Depth: 15.5 × 0.375 × 0.375 in. (39.4 × 1 × 1 cm)
Historical NotesThis piece of wood dowel rod was used by Paul Dick to vote. Since he could not reach the voting machine levers from his wheelchair, he used the dowel rod to push down the lever in order to cast his ballot. Later in life he lost the strength in his arm to use the rod, so his wife pulled the lever for him. He voted in every election from the time he established permanent residence in Pittsburgh in 1965 to his death in 2010. He lived and voted in Shaler Township (from November 1969 to September 1989) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Paul Dick, who grew up on a farm in Claysburg, Pennsylvania, contracted polio in September 1954, just as the first polio vaccine was being tested by Jonas Salk. Two of his sibllings also contracted polio at the same time. He spent time in an iron lung in Altoona Hospital, during which time he was completely paralyzed. After rehabilitation in Altoona and Warm Springs, Georgia, he was able to recover some movement, but would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Previous owner E. Paul Dick (died 2010)

Related institution Altoona Hospital

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view