Living with Post-Polio Syndrome – the story of Zsuzsanna Snarey

Living with Post-Polio Syndrome – the story of Zsuzsanna Snarey

Meet Zsuzsanna, an 84-year-old polio survivor living in Nottingham, England. Born in Hungary, she was only eight when she contracted polio at an orphanage, after attempting to escape unsuccessfully from communist Hungary with her mother. What followed was a long and determined journey of recovery, resilience, and advocacy — one that continues to inspire.

A Journey of Recovery

After her diagnosis, Zsuzsanna spent months in recovery and rehabilitation. “With my mother’s help, I was able to stand after about a year,” she recalls. “I started walking with crutches, then gradually moved to one stick.” Over the years, she underwent operations on each foot and eventually made her way to England during the Hungarian revolution.

Her early determination defined her path — from learning to walk again to pursuing a career as a science teacher and later a chiropodist, writing books about her family’s history, and developing a deep passion for languages and genealogy. Today, she stays active, is learning Italian, and loves to travel.

Living with Post-Polio Syndrome

Like many polio survivors, Zsuzsanna later developed post-polio syndrome (PPS), a condition that can cause new muscle weakness, fatigue, and balance difficulties decades after the original illness. “Post-polio can be very tricky,” she explains. “A lot of doctors try to be helpful, but they don’t always realise it’s a genuine condition. It can take a long time to get the right diagnosis — sometimes people are told it’s just arthritis or old age.”

For Zsuzsanna, getting the right support required persistence. After seeing an Ambroise advertisement in the British Polio Fellowship magazine, she brought it to her doctor’s attention. “It took two years before I could get approval for braces on both legs,” she says. “I was lucky that I could travel to the Netherlands and have them made. Many people can’t do that. Often, if the waiting time is too long, they stop walking altogether. Having braces means I can still get on my feet and move.”

Her Experience with the UTX Braces

Zsuzsanna wears two UTX SWING braces from Ambroise, one on each leg, which help her stay mobile and independent. Her orthopaedic specialist explains:

“Zsuzsanna has reduced quadriceps control, knee hyperextension and valgus — more pronounced on the left side. The UTX SWING braces provide stability and help prevent excessive hyperextension. Over time, we’ve made small adjustments to find the right balance between stability and comfort.”

The UTX braces are lightweight, dynamic knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) designed to assist with walking while allowing natural movement of the knee. In Zsuzsanna’s case, they help control her knee alignment and give her the confidence to walk safely despite weakened muscles.

“With post-polio, balance is everything,” she says. “It takes precise work to get the braces adjusted just right. As I’ve grown older, it’s become more difficult, but they still make all the difference.”

Staying Active and Curious

Despite her challenges, Zsuzsanna remains active and curious. She enjoys studying languages, delving into history, and planning travels. Her story is a testament that perseverance and the right support can sustain some independence, even decades after polio.

At Ambroise, we’re honoured to support individuals like Zsuzsanna — people whose stories show the impact of thoughtful orthotic devices on real lives. Her journey reflects the strength of the human spirit and the value of continued innovation and improvement in orthotic care.