Harriet Bell

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Harriet Bell
Born(1923-07-14)July 14, 1923
New York
DiedSeptember 10, 1995(1995-09-10) (aged 72)
Roosevelt Island, New York
NationalityAmerican
OccupationDisability rights advocate
Years active1953–1995

Harriet Bell (July 14, 1923 – September 10, 1995)

Goldwater Memorial Hospital
after contracting polio, she was president of the hospital board for four terms, participating in drafting the Patients' Bill of Rights. In 1982, she was the recipient of the Wonder Woman Foundation Award of Warner Communications Inc. as an agent of change.

Early life

Bell grew up in

Goldwater Memorial Hospital and confined to an iron lung. After experiencing anger and depression, and offering to allow her husband a divorce, Bell determined to take control of her life. Her husband refused to accept a divorce and though they lived separately, the couple parented their children together.[4] As her health improved, she gained mobility with use of a wheelchair and was able to attend family functions, though her need for mechanical respiratory assistance made it necessary for her to live at the hospital facility for 25 years.[5][6] During her tenure in residence, she was president of the hospital board for four terms, participating in drafting the Patients Bill of Rights.[7]

Career

Wishing to further her education, Bell tried to enroll in numerous universities in the New York City area but was rejected because of her disabilities. In 1977, she was accepted at

quadriplegic, Bell developed skill as a painter and a typist, using assistive technology.[12]

Death and legacy

Bell died on September 10, 1995, at her home on Roosevelt Island.[6] The information provided by the center she co-founded was an early resource for post-polio syndrome, little known at that time,[13][14] and became an internationally recognized reference base.[6]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Social Security Death Index 1995.
  2. ^ Weiner 1986, p. 35.
  3. ^ The Arizona Republic 1955, p. 11.
  4. ^ Weiner 1986, p. 36.
  5. ^ Weiner 1986, pp. 36–37.
  6. ^ a b c d The New York Times 1995.
  7. ^ Weiner 1986, p. x.
  8. ^ Bonnabeau 1996, p. 85.
  9. ^ Kenny 1986, p. 120.
  10. ^ McCormack 1982.
  11. ^ Bell 1984.
  12. ^ Weiner 1986, pp. 35, 94, 139.
  13. ^ Brown 1986, p. 19.
  14. ^ Central Virginia Post Polio Support Group n.d., p. 2.

Bibliography

  • Bell, Harriet E. (January 1984). Polio Survivors: Their Quality of Life (PDF) (PhD). San Rafael, California: Columbia Pacific University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2017.
  • Bonnabeau, Richard Francis (1996). The Promise Continues: Empire State College : the First Twenty-five Years. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Donning Company.
    ISBN 978-0-89865-966-5
    .
  • Brown, George W. (August 28, 1986). "Post-polio syndrome little known".
    Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  • Kenny, Karen (September 24, 1986). "Willing and Able".
    Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  • McCormack, Patricia (December 3, 1982). "Wonder Woman Foundation honors women's achievements". United Press International. Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  • Weiner, Florence (1986). No apologies (1st ed.). New York, New York: St. Martin's Press.
    ISBN 0-312-57523-8
    .
  • "Harriet Bell, Rights Advocate, 72". The New York Times. New York City, New York. September 17, 1995. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  • "Keep Smiling".
    Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  • PPS and the Central Virginia Post-Polio Support Group (PDF) (Report). Richmond, Virginia: Central Virginia Post Polio Support Group. n.d. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  • "United States Social Security Death Index: Harriet E Bell". FamilySearch. Alexandria, Virginia: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Technical Information Service. 10 September 1995. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
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