Trauma to Triumph

Barbara Hill is a survivor. She has triumphed over the physical limitations of polio and post-polio syndrome, and even the greatest trauma of her life — ending her 43-year marriage.At the age of 22, Barbara Hill felt she had it all…a handsome husband, an adorable baby boy, and a promising future. Then, in 1954, she heard the most-dreaded words of the “You have polio.” Compounding the tragedy, Barbara’s infant son was also diagnosed with polio. Barbara and her son made full recoveries, and life went on...a new home, another son. Then, in 1979, Barbara’s symptoms returned and she was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. Barbara approached this new diagnosis as she had with a determination to maintain her active lifestyle. With the help of medical treatments and her Amigo motorized chair, she does so to this day.Barbara’s husband stood by her during her illness, and was a doting father to their two sons. He was the charming football hero she had fallen in love with back in high school. But storm clouds were always in the air. The flirtatious way he had with other women, unexplained time away from home, suspicious phone calls…and after years of denying the truth and trying to keep her marriage together (even returning to him after he attempted to seduce her mother!) Barbara realized that it was time to end her marriage.Barbara tells her story in the hope of helping others deal with the trauma of illness, divorce and death, as well as the struggle to mend hearts broken by betrayal. She is also the author of Life's Making the Choice to Change, and the Spanish version, La Vida. Barbara has appeared on many radio and television programs, and has been featured in The Houston Chronicle, The Baytown Sun and other newspapers and magazines. She has spoken to professional clubs, organizations and church groups and her inspirational messages have been widely received.