World Polio Day: The Story Behind the Promise

October is a special month for Rotary. On October 24, we recognize World Polio Day and the promise generations of Rotarians have worked to keep.

For me, that promise became personal through Giorgio and Irma Beltram.

Two Italian-born Peruvians, now U.S. citizens and former Rotarians, both were raised in families with a deep Rotary legacy.

Giorgio had polio. Irma watched a dear friend suffer from it.

They made polio real for me.

I recently sat down with Giorgio and Irma for a much longer conversation about their experiences. The brief clip I’m sharing captures just two of the questions I asked.

It doesn’t tell their whole story.

But you’ll see the emotion.

All these years later, polio still matters to them.

Last year, they even spoke to our club, the Rotary Club of Slidell, during our World Polio Day observance and our Purple4Polio initiative, which I had the privilege of leading as Public Image Chair. That moment brought their story full circle for our members in a powerful way.

As we recognize World Polio Day, I hope their words inspire you to look within your own community. Find someone with a connection to polio. Ask the questions. Listen.

Without connection, there is no story to tell.

And then turn that connection into commitment.

Join the PolioPlus Society. A commitment of at least $100 each year to PolioPlus says that we intend to see this promise through.

Purple gets attention. Stories create connection. Commitment gets us closer.

Generations of Rotarians brought us here.

We can be the generation that ends polio.

Imagine that.

Us.

To watch the video:  Giorgio and Irma Beltram.MOV