A Chicago Tribune story on Cardinal George, polio and other survivors of the disease:

George, 69, contracted polio at age 13; to this day, he wears a leg brace to support muscles ravaged by the viral illness. Felde, 58, caught the disease as an 11-month-old infant and has lived with its aftereffects ever since.

"As a fellow survivor, I’d like the cardinal to know: You’re an amazing example to us all. And please, please, take care of yourself," said Felde of Downers Grove.

Medical experts say it’s advice worth heeding. As the last generation of Americans struck by polio advances into their senior years, the disease’s residual impact is exacerbating the effects of aging and later-life illness, such as George’s cancer.