Updated April 28, 2025
SEMiPPSG
Polio Survivors helping Polio Survivors
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
The purpose of the Southeast Michigan Post-Polio Support Group is to provide and share knowledge and understanding of polio and its late effects (Post-Polio Syndrome.)
The meetings build on that common bond through in depth group discussions, speakers, videos and social luncheons.
For more information, please contact support group facilitator
Tim Brown
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
Meetings are on the fourth Saturday of each month
(May - September)
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
The First Presbyterian Church of Troy
4328 Livernois, Troy, Michigan 48098
(Located ½ mile north of
Wattles (17 Mile) Road
Polio Stories
Southeast Michigan post-Polio Support Group Meetings
Post-Polio Clinic
Read the personal and inspiring polio stories from members of the Michigan Polio Network and other polio survivors from across the United States.
Post-Polio Clinic
History of the Michigan Polio Netwok
Post-Polio Clinic
Dr. Daniel Ryan, M.D.
Center for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation PC
13850 Twelve Mile Rd.
Warren, Michigan 48088
Phone: (586) 778-4505
The post-polio clinic sees polio survivors monthly on the first and third Thursdays
History of the Michigan Polio Netwok
History of the Michigan Polio Netwok
History of the Michigan Polio Netwok
Read about our history and the many people that shaped the newtork over the years.
PHI welcomes two new board of directors
Jennifer Thieme Kehres
Jennifer Thieme Kehres
Jennifer Thieme Kehres
“Kehres’ experience in the mobility industry and background makes her an invaluable asset to our board and would greatly help shape our organization’s future. We are confident that her dedication and unique perspective will contribute to the continued success and growth of PHI as we carry out our mission in support of polio survivors and
“Kehres’ experience in the mobility industry and background makes her an invaluable asset to our board and would greatly help shape our organization’s future. We are confident that her dedication and unique perspective will contribute to the continued success and growth of PHI as we carry out our mission in support of polio survivors and users of home mechanical ventilation,” said Brian Tiburzi, Executive Director of PHI.
Founded in 1960 as the International Iron Lung Polio Assistance, Inc., today Post-Polio Health International’s mission is to collect, preserve and make available research and knowledge to promote the well-being and independence of polio survivors, home ventilator users, their caregivers and families, and to support the health professionals who treat them.
“I have had the pleasure of getting to know many Amigo owners over the years who were dealing with the late effects of polio. The support PHI on an international and local level has provided is significant,” Kehres said. “My grandfather immigrated to the United States in the 1920s and was detained at Ellis Island for weeks due to having polio, he was eventually allowed into the country after insisting he would not be a ‘burden to society’ but rather a self-sufficient painter who could earn a living. I’m proud and honored to be part of an organization that has helped share information, research and support for people with post-polio so they do not feel the isolation and discouragement my grandfather did 100 years ago.”
Dr. Daniel Ryan, M.D.
Jennifer Thieme Kehres
Jennifer Thieme Kehres
Dr. Ryan has been the medical director of Southeastern Michigan’s post-polio clinic for over twenty years. He has spoken at numerous events regarding polio and post-polio syndrome. He is a member of many national and local medical societies, is past president of the Michigan Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as past
Dr. Ryan has been the medical director of Southeastern Michigan’s post-polio clinic for over twenty years. He has spoken at numerous events regarding polio and post-polio syndrome. He is a member of many national and local medical societies, is past president of the Michigan Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as past president of the Macomb County Medical Society. Dr. Ryan is an assistant clinical professor at Wayne State University of Medicine and Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine and is a member of the board of the Michigan State Medical Society.
“We are excited to have Dr. Ryan join the PHI Board and believe his knowledge and experience treating polio survivors over many years will prove invaluable in helping PHI carry out its mission,” said Brian Tiburzi, Executive Director of PHI.
Dr. Ryan spends time volunteering for several local charities and is an active member of his local Rotary Club. He enjoys spending time with his family and continues to play multiple sports. He follows all Detroit sports teams, and college sports, and enjoys gardening, the beach, and reading history.
Global Advocacy Helping Polio Survivors
Resources for polio suvivors
Anesthesia Concerns
Polio Survivors with Post-Polio Sequelae (PPS) often have all or some of the following symptoms:
- EASILY SEDATED and can be difficult to wake
- Can Have Difficulty BREATHING and SWALLOWING with Anesthesia
- HYPERSENSITIVE to PAIN and COLD.
- May need a heated blanket and increased pain medication post-op
- Additionally, Polio Survivors with Post-Polio Sequelae also experience:
- Overwhelming Fatigue
- Muscle Weakness
- Muscle and Joint Pain
- Sleep Disorders
- Cold Intolerance
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Difficulty Breathing
- Sensitivity to Anesthesia
Brace Maintenance
Scott is a certified prosthetist/orthotist who specializes in post-polio syndrome, acute and subacute CVA treatments, and lower limb prosthetics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health science from Central Michigan University and a post-bachelor certificate in orthotics and prosthetics from Northwestern University. Scott joined Mary Free Bed in 2021.
MaryFree Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics
1717 Stephenson Highway
Troy, Michigan
(248) 680-2800
Elder law
Elder law
Mr. Richards is an attorney specializing in wills, trusts and estates with a special interest in disability issues and providing for the disabled. He has spoken at several Southeast Michigan Support Group meetings and has provided services to many of its members.
Post-polio support groups
Mid-Michigan Post-polio support group
The purpose of the Mid-Michigan Post-Polio Support Group is to provide and share knowledge and understanding of polio and its late effects (Post-Polio Syndrome).
The meetings build on that common bond through in-depth group discussions and social luncheons.
Meetings are held April through October at 11:00 am on the third Wednesday of the month.
Location
Isabella County Commission on Aging.
2200 S. Lincoln Road. Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858
Questions may be directed to Marcy Huntoon, the Activity Director at the Commission On Aging at 989-772-0748
Center for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dr. Daniel Ryan, M.D
An Answer in Michigan to One of the Most Common Complaints
You survived polio… or so you thought! You lived fairly normally for most of your life following your original battle with paralytic polio. Then, decades later, you were faced with increasing fatigue, pain in muscles and joints, and even worse, new and increasing muscle weakness leading to new disability. It is estimated that not quite half of paralytic polio survivors may experience these conditions later in their lives. In the early 1980’s the official medical terminology given to this sequence of events was post-polio syndrome (PPS.) While every case of PPS is quite individual, it is believed that one of the most consistently heard comment from polio survivors is “my doctor doesn’t understand” what I am going through.” This can be explained by a steady decline in interest in polio issues over the years on the part of the medical community following the successful introduction of the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines. At that point the polio problem appeared to be solved in this country! Yet here you are with your new polio complications.
What do you do?
Perhaps the best answer to that question would be to visit a multidisciplinary post-polio clinic for evaluation and proper care. Because of the individuality of symptoms of PPS leading to a wide breadth of problems, evaluating and treating these patients can be best accomplished by a team of physical and behavioral professionals. Unfortunately, the latest available statistics reveal that there are only 19 such post-polio clinics remaining in the United States and only 22 internationally. Yet, polio survivors in and around Michigan are blessed to have one of these highly experienced multidisciplinary post-polio clinics nearby. Dr. Daniel Ryan, M.D. and The Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Post-Polio Clinic are located in Warren, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
After having previously treated numerous post-polio patients as part of his practice, Dr. Ryan, a physiatrist, in conjunction with a major local health system and the Michigan Polio Network, assembled a complimentary group of healthcare professionals and established his post-polio clinic. The clinic began seeing patients in 2001 and continues today. In addition to Dr. Ryan, Medical Director of the post-polio clinic, his team consists of an
internal medicine physician, an orthotist, and a physical therapist. This clinic sees PPS patients by appointment on specific days each month. For the first visit, a new patient is individually evaluated by each member of the team who will confer with Dr. Ryan and together they discuss their observations. Dr. Ryan then meets with the new patient and formulates a treatment program which may include lifestyle modification recommendations and, if indicated, prescriptions for physical therapy, orthotics and medication. Imagine all of this taking place during one visit to one office on one morning!
Following the new patient’s initial visit, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled with Dr. Ryan at which time the patient’s progress will be compared with the benchmark established during the initial visit. The patient will ordinarily have one or two follow-up appointments annually allowing for appropriate modifications to the patient’s program as his or her condition indicates.
During each visit to Dr. Ryan’s clinic, the polio survivor will be greeted in a welcoming environment by one or more members of the Michigan Polio Network, also polio survivors. These greeters are available to provide answers to non-medical PPS related questions as well as provide printed material and information.
Time and again, polio survivors who have visited Dr. Ryan’s post-polio clinic, beginning with the multidisciplinary intake visit and then scheduled regular follow-up visits, report very positive results in obtaining expert rehabilitation assistance. These patients find that they are much better able to deal with their declining function caused by PPS. Additionally, they have been able to establish reasonable individual expectations of capabilities and activities as they cope with advancing age.
To schedule your first visit to the Center for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Post-Polio Clinic, call (586) 778-4505.
Dr. Daniel Ryan, M.D.
Center for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Post-Polio Clinic
13850 Twelve Mile Rd.
Warren, Michigan 48088
Phone: (586) 778-4505
PPS clinic meets monthly on the first and third Thursdays
Please call to make appointment.
Michigan Polio Network
Final Michigan Polio Network Board of Directors - 2017
Gwen Dyc-Schwendenmann, Carl Fenner, Bruce E. Sachs, Bonnie Levitan, Laura Barbour, Diane L. Dych-Sachs, Vera Hazel, Timothy P. Brown, Rick Kugel, Virginia Brown, Michael Scharl, Dan Matakas (left to right)
Mike W.R. Davis, Janice Gross, Roger Gross (bottom left to right).
MPN transitioned to Post-Polio Health International in 2018.
Michigan Polio Network
