Polio's Playground

About the Book

Polio’s Playground is an inspirational story about the inner spirit prevailing over the repeated assaults of poliomyelitis and its destruction of muscle function.  It’s about a little farm girl, and her two sisters, journey through the disease, carrying paralysis into adulthood. Then she makes a splash in legislation on the federal level.  Back home in Medford, Oregon, her fellow authors have this to say about the book.

Valerie J. Foster has written a superb book about her battle and victories over

Polio.  She is indeed one of those I would call a survivor.--- Marilyn Hammer, author, publisher, and most of all a friend.

This story will be an inspiration to anyone.  It is the story of life with all its challenges, which we each are faced with every day. It shows how victory can be won through compassion, hard work, and belief in oneself.---Marilyn K.S Wilbur, author.

I was swept down a path that opened my eyes and clearly let me experience Valerie’s words which painted a vivid and colorful picture.  This book is encouraging and full of hope.--- LaDonna Benshoof, author.

About the Author

Valerie J. Foster is a poet and writer who retired from a 25-year-career in mental health counseling, specializing in child sex abuse recovery, and is now devoting more time to the art of writing.  Her poetry is published in two anthologies of poetry, “Chorus of the Soul,” (International Poetry, 2000) and “Invoking the Muse” (International Poetry, February 2005) Valerie’s other works have received local publication.  Her original memoir “My Life with Polio” was published in November 2004 by Jmar Publications.  Valerie grew up in Yakima, Washington where she and her two older sisters met the challenge of poliomyelitis. Although left with deforming residuals, later, she married a solider, raised their three children as they traveled across the United States and in Europe. Now, she and her current husband live in Central Point, Oregon. Valerie is working on a book tentatively titled “The Gift of Obstacles,” about meeting the challenges of life: poverty, abuse, death, divorce, promiscuity, depression, suicide, education, and employment.