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Object number2018.138.4 a-g

Made byPossibly Claysburg-Kimmel High School

Made byPossibly Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation

Possible OriginClaysburg, PA

Possible OriginPittsburgh, PA

Possible OriginWarm Springs, GA

MediumMetal; Cloth

Credit LineGift of Holly Dick

DescriptionMetal eating apparatus with its metal attachments. The apparatus includes two arm supports, two curved rods with welded attachment, one hollow rod with thin rod attached, and a piece with bolts and rod.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length (a): 5 × 26 × 23.25 in. (12.7 × 66 × 59.1 cm)
Height x Width x Length (b): 6 × 3.5 × 14.5 in. (15.2 × 8.9 × 36.8 cm)
Height x Width x Length (c): 6 × 3.5 × 11.5 in. (15.2 × 8.9 × 29.2 cm)
Height x Width x Length (d,e): 8.125 × 0.75 × 3.75 in. (20.6 × 1.9 × 9.5 cm)
Height x Width x Length (f): 7.625 × 0.5 × 4.125 in. (19.4 × 1.3 × 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Length (g): 9.875 × 1 × 4.75 in. (25.1 × 2.5 × 12.1 cm)
MarksText on the ends of the curved metal rod (d,e) is "5561 NICE PHILA. MADE IN U.S.A.".
Historical NotesObjects used by Paul Dick, who spent his life in a wheelchair after contracting polio at the age of 14. Paul Dick, who grew up on a farm in Claysburg, PA, contracted polio in September 1954, just as the first polio vaccine was being tested by Jonas Saulk. 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, GA, he was able to recover some movement, but would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The feeding apparatus was designed for Paul by either the shop at Altoona High School or at the Rehabilitation Center in Warm Springs, GA in 1954 or 1955. The device supported his left arm, to which he had to switch after his paralysis since he was naturally right-handed. This enabled him to learn to utilize this left hand and arm until sufficient strength returned to let him use it without support.

Previous owner E. Paul Dick (died 2010)

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