Colin Powell, a Polio Survivor's Story

Colin Powell fell ill with polio in 1949 at 6 months old. An innocent swimming trip with his father turned into a life long struggle with polio. 
In 2009, Colin joined Radlett Rotary Club after delivering a talk and is now joining a new aspect of Rotary as a Purple4Polio ambassador.
Due to his experiences, he is passionate and committed to Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.
Colin not only promotes the global eradication of polio, but also supports those, like himself, suffering Post-Polio Syndrome with the British Polio Fellowship.
“I can do anything that I want to do in this life, if I want to do it badly enough. Otherwise polio has provided me with a built-in excuse.” Colin commented.
“You have one visit to this planet, so it’s up to you whether or not you waste your journey here.”
“My life has been a struggle full of a multiple physical challenges, but on the other hand nobody promised me an easy ride.”
“Rotary must win their End Polio Now campaign battle, in order to ensure that no child born today has to suffer throughout their lives like myself and all the other multi-millions of remaining polio survivors throughout the world.”
Colin already holds the office of Rotary Liaison Ambassador from the British Polio Fellowship. Now in his dual ambassadorial role, he is in a unique position to ensure the aspirations of both Rotary and the British Polio Fellowship work in harmony.
His ultimate wish is to see a world free from such a cruel disease and that no child born in the future experience a lifetime of suffering as a polio survivor.