Historical information

Used for polio patient for sleeping. Polio disability aid. Callipers were fitted to lock up the knee joints of weakened leg to enable a person to walk without their legs collapsing and to pick the foot up from the ground when foot drop had occurred due to paralysed skin muscles. The polio patient found these devices restrictive and uncomfortable.
See KVHS 1796, KVHS 1798

Significance

Used by Wilma Davies, a Kiewa Valley resident, who suffered from polio from the early 1950s.

Physical description

Metal frame for each leg to fit in a 'V' shape from the waist to the feet. Supported by canvas straps - 3 on the left side, and 2 on the right (1 has been torn off and replaced with leather straps). 2 flat foot shaped steel plates are at the foot end and are adjustable for the feet to be at several angles. The frame has a supporting frame attached giving depth to the calliper.