A Rough Road

During the polio epidemic of 1940, four year-old Paddy finds himself ensconced for nineteen months in a "reconstruction home" far from his family. Since all the other children are at least twice his age, he is placed in a room, initially by himself, instead of one of the dormitories. Enduring aching loneliness, painful treatments, and lengthy, frustrating rehabilitation sessions, Paddy learns to overcome his fears and to prevail physically and emotionally through his interactions with a colorful cast of hospital staff-from the friendly giant orderly Johnny Cant and the lighthearted Nurse Kelly to the no-nonsense physical therapist Ma Gillick, an evangelical swimming instructor Mr. Cooney, and the imposing and frightening Dr. Strasburg and his mean assistant Nurse McCormick. Perhaps most important to his "reconstruction" however, is the arrival of roommate Joey. An adventure loving, bedridden youngster with spina bifida, three years Paddy's senior, Joey introduces Paddy to the joys and tomfoolery of boyhood and inspires him with his physical and mental toughness. Then, there are the infrequent-but significant-visits from Paddy's mom, who is sure the Blessed Virgin will cure him, and his pop, who fears in his heart that he will have a cripple for a son. Finally, after spending over one-third of his entire life to that point in the "reconstruction home," and forever changed by his experiences, Paddy returns home to the family he loves and missed so terribly. An uplifting and surprising recollection of author Patrick J. Bird's childhood treatment for polio, A Rough Road is a testament to the innate will and spirit of children faced difficult challenges. With a stunning facility for place, voice, and character, as well as the accurate portrayal of the developing (often counter productive) medical procedures of the period, A Rough Road can be a walk down memory lane for some, a lesson in history for others, and a moving experience for all. This emotionally true depiction of a major segment of childhood spent largely isolated from family and friends is a testament to the capability of children to overcome even the most difficult of times. Told primarily from the vantage point of the child, the narrative is delivered with candor, humor, and the unbridled honesty only a child's voice can provide. A Rough Road is a reminder of the transformative power of the human experience.

Patrick Bird was born and raised in the New York City area. He holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He has held professional and academic administrator positions at the University of Minnesota, the University of Virginia, and the University of Florida and early in his career was gymnastics coach at the University of Illinois and the University of Minnesota. He has published articles in popular magazines including Scientific American (on line), Women’s Health, Cooking Light, Your Family (Florida), and Golden Years and has fifty plus academic publications to his credit.. For thirteen years, he wrote also a weekly health column for the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group and the St. Petersburg Times. Pat is married and has three grown children. Retired from academia, he lives and writes in Gainesville, Florida.