Polio Place

At 23, after trying for an entire year, my husband, Ray, finally stood on a moving surfboard in waters off Santa Cruz, California. Intending to surf for the rest of his life, he moved to Hawaii.

The tendons in his polio-affected knee gave out in late-2013, which he thought would end his surfing.

After a year of searching for the right brace, a brilliant orthotist here created the perfect KAFO brace to support his leg and foot while tolerating the ocean's salt water. Ray has re-learned to surf and also competes in paddle races as a prone paddler, proving that life-long limitations and occasional setbacks cannot quell his need to live a full life into his senior years.

The above photo was taken at Ali'i Beach, Haleiwa, Hawaii in May of 2017. Ray was just ending a ride down a four-foot wave. Once he felt stable, he moved first to one knee, then to a standing position, with a constant focus on maintaining his balance. Finally, he shifted into the "goofy-footed" stance, with the dominant foot in a forward position (versus at the rear) for steering the board.

-Betty Bodlak Raymond

All rights reserved. You may not distribute or reprint images or descriptions without the express written consent of the creator.