When three years old, my son was taken ill with a high fever, but not much alarm was felt until his left arm became paralyzed. We called a physician, but he did not seem to understand the cause of the difficulty. At first he thought it might be a sprain or rheumatism; then in about a week he decided the arm was broken at the shoulder and wanted to place it in a plaster cast.
The physician's advice was not followed, but instead the child was taken to a hospital, where several doctors examined him and used the X-ray. No bones were found to be broken, but the physicians advised rubbing the arm daily and thought it would soon be well. For years I rubbed and bathed the little arm, but it did no good. The bones grew, but there was no strength in the arm. Finally, in the spring of 1913, I had the opportunity of taking the boy to a state specialist, who declared that the trouble was infantile paralysis and could not be cured. He further stated that the only thing to do was to keep on rubbing the arm, so that it might not entirely waste away. Later another specialist told me about the same thing.
Feeling disheartened and sorrowful, I turned to Christian Science treatment for help, with the result that in two or three days my son raised his arm high above his head and exclaimed, "See, mama, see my arm!" The arm was healed, and great was the rejoicing. This healing occurred in March, 1914, since which time he has used the arm continually, and it is as strong as the other. Whereas formerly he could raise the forearm and hand only the merest trifle, he now raises the whole arm above his head with ease, and can use it without difficulty in gymnastic exercises. He can strike a hard blow from the shoulder, plays ball, and even football. For seven years the arm had hung at his side and was of no use to him. No one can realize what relief has come to us now that he can attend school regularly, has no complaints, and is perfectly well and happy.
