When I was born, I was apparently in perfect physical condition, but at the age of four years I was stricken all at one time with what our family doctor diagnosed as measles, congestion of the lungs, and brain fever.
I progressively grew worse, and a council of doctors was called in. There was no improvement, and I went into convulsions. The doctors' verdict was that there was no hope whatever, but that if I did live I would be foolish. My mother, who had never heard of Christian Science at that time, prayed; and I survived. I was left with a condition similar to Saint Vitus's dance. I had to learn to walk and talk all over again. I had little use of my hands, and it was hard to pick up things or hold onto them.
Owing to the cooperation of my family, I was able to finish grade school and high school. My sisters were always with me to help me dress and comb my hair, but the thought was often expressed: "Poor Merle." I was always conscious of my inabilities and tried constantly to hide them from the public. As a child, I had a fear of having the other children in school laugh at me.
