Shirley Pincus contracted polio at the age of three, which left her with partial paralysis and atrophied muscles on her lower left leg and foot. Determined that the effects of polio would not define her, Shirley did everything other people did, including hiking and snowshoeing. Shirley also enjoyed a 30-year career in human resources for an automotive training company. About five years ago at age 58, Shirley began to experience debilitating foot and leg pain. On December 13, 2013, she had surgery to remove damaged nerve tissue from her leg and replace it with a graft of decellularized human nerve tissue that would allow the nerve to regenerate and properly send signals. The throbbing pain that had plagued her for so long was gone, thanks to a generous donor.

Shirley's Story

Shirley Pincus is no stranger to medical challenges. She contracted polio at the age of three, which left her with partial paralysis and atrophied muscles on her lower left leg and foot. She endured countless surgeries during her childhood to help reconstruct her foot, toes and ankle.

Determined that the effects of polio would not define her, Shirley did everything and anything other children did. She played sports, pursued her education and enjoyed spending time with friends. As an adult, she walked regularly, traveled and spent time outdoors with friends and family. Her adventures included hiking the rocky terrain of Utah's Canyonlands National Park on her honeymoon and later, snowshoeing in Colorado. Shirley also enjoyed a successful, 30-year career working in the human resources department of a Chicago-area automotive training company.

About five years ago, Shirley was forced to give up most of the activities she loved when she started experiencing debilitating foot and leg pain. "I was in pain most of my life, but I learned to tolerate it," she explained. "However, the pain grew even more intense as I aged until it became intolerable and prevented me from living my life. I could barely make it through the day." 

After performing a nerve study, doctors recommended a procedure to remove damaged nerve tissue from Shirley's leg and replace it with a special graft of decellularized human nerve tissue that would allow the nerve to regenerate and properly send signals.  

When she awoke from surgery on December 13, 2013, Shirley had a new sensation - the throbbing pain that had plagued her was gone.

"I know that there are many other people suffering from injured peripheral nerves," she acknowledged. "The most important message I can share is to find a doctor who can properly diagnose nerve function and recommend viable options for treatment. Thanks to a donor's generous donation, I have gotten my life back."