History of IVUN
1958
Gini Laurie becomes editor of Toomeyville Jr. Gazette, the mimeographed newsletter for Toomey Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio, a respiratory center for poliomyelitis patients.
1960
Incorporates as the International Iron Lung Polio Assistance, Inc.
Toomeyville Jr. Gazette changes name to Toomey j Gazette.
1964
Changes name to Iron Lung Polios and Multiplegics, Inc.
1970
Changes name to Rehabilitation Gazette, Inc.
Toomey j Gazette changes name to Rehabilitation Gazette.
1971
Moves from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to 4502 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri.
1976
Gini Laurie writes Housing and Home Services for the Disabled, Elderly, and Retarded, published by Harper & Row.
1979
Publishes letter by polio survivor regarding new problems.
1981
Coordinates first conference, Chicago, Illinois – "Whatever Happened to the Polio Patient?"
Proceedings Photographs
1983
Coordinates Second International Post-Polio Conference and Symposium on Living Independently with Severe Disability, Saint Louis, Missouri. Proceedings
Changes name to Gazette International Networking Institute, Inc. (GINI).
1984
Hires Judith Raymond as first executive director. Publishes Handbook on the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis for Physicians and Survivors, edited by Gini Laurie, Frederick M. Maynard, MD, D. Armin Fischer, MD, and Judith Raymond.
1985
Joe Laurie, co-editor of the Rehabilitation Gazette and Gini's husband, dies.
Forms International Polio Network (IPN) and begins publication of Polio Network News.
Coordinates Third International Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri. Proceedings
Begins publishing Post-Polio Directory, listing clinics, health professionals and support groups knowledgeable about the late effects of polio.
1986
Sponsors Polio Support Group Leaders' Workshop.
1987
Coordinates Fourth International Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Forms International Ventilator Users Network (IVUN) and begins publication of IVUN News.
Judith Raymond Fischer resigns as executive director.
Hires Joan L. Headley as director of International Polio Network.
1988
Sponsors Support Group Leaders' Workshop.
1989
Names Joan L. Headley as executive director.
Coordinates Fifth International Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Establishes The Gini Laurie Endowment after Gini Laurie dies on June 28th.
Begins publishing IVUN Resource Directory within the pages of IVUN News.
1990
Discusses suspending operations.
1991
Sale of 4502 Maryland property; office moves to 5100 Oakland Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri.
1994
Coordinates Sixth International Post-Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri.
1995
Office moves to 4207 Lindell Boulevard, #110, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Creates The GINI Research Fund with bequest from Thomas Rogers.
1996
Hires full-time assistant.
1997
Coordinates Seventh International Post-Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri.
Hires second full-time assistant. Begins strategic planning.
IVUN Resource Directory published as separate document. Lists health professionals committed to home mechanical ventilation, ventilator users, ventilator equipment and aids with manufacturers' information, plus related organizations, associations and foundations.
1999
Publishes revised edition of Handbook on the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis for Physicians and Survivors, edited by Frederick M. Maynard, MD, and Joan L. Headley, MS.
Co-sponsors Seventh International Conference on Home Mechanical Ventilation, Orlando, Florida.
Continues strategic planning and reaffirms mission.
2000
Coordinates Eighth International Post-Polio and Independent Living Conference, Saint Louis, Missouri.
2001
Awards first grant from The GINI Research Fund.
Co-sponsors Eighth International Conference on Home Mechanical Ventilation, Lyon, France.
Revises Bylaws.
2002
Awards second grant from The GINI Research Fund.
Receives report from first grant from The GINI Research Fund.
2003
Changes name to Post-Polio Health International (PHI) Including International Ventilator Users Network and structure to Membership.
The GINI Research Fund changes name to The Research Fund.
Polio Network News changes name to Post-Polio Health.
IVUN News changes name to Ventilator-Assisted Living.
IVUN Resource Directory changes name to Resource Directory for Ventilator-Assisted Living.
PHI Medical Advisory Committee writes Statement about exercise for the survivors of polio.
Cooperates with the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in presenting American College of Chest Physician (ACCP)'s Ninth International Noninvasive Ventilation Conference: "From the ICU to Home," Orlando, Florida.
2004
Receives report from second grant for The Research Fund.
Joan L. Headley speaks in Osaka, part of the Japanese Ventilator Users Network's symposia in Japan to raise awareness about the need for improved independent living for ventilator users. While in Japan, Ms. Headley also meets with Japan Network for Polio Survivors (JNPS).
Works in conjunction with the John P. Murtha Neuroscience & Pain Institute at Conemaugh Health System in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to provide monthly conference calls for the Post-Polio Clinic Directors.
Awards third grant for The Research Fund.
2005
Loans archival materials to The Smithsonian Institution for the "Whatever Happened to Polio?" exhibit at the National Museum of American History.
Supports the 10th International Conference on Home Mechanical Ventilation, hosted by Journées Internationales de Ventilation à Domicile (JIVD), Lyon, France.
Coordinates Ninth International Conference on Post-Polio Health and Ventilator-Assisted Living: Strategies for Living Well.
Thursday Program Book Friday Program Book Saturday Program Book
2006
Receives funds from Christopher Reeve Foundation to create guide to assist ventilator users in surviving emergencies.
Completed project (click logo for information) – 
(Spanish)
Compiles Home Ventilator Guide
Receives report from the third grant for The Research Fund
Awards fourth grant for The Research Fund
Board of Directors met in Saint Louis for strategic planning.
Initiates Association Membership for post-polio support grouops and organizations.
2007
Board of Directors met in Saint Louis for strategic planning.
Researches number of polio survivors in US.
Initiates WE'RE STILL HERE! October 14-20, 2007, a post-polio awareness campaign.
2008
Receives report from fourth grant for The Research Fund.
WE'RE STILL HERE! October 12-18, 2008
Awards fifth grant for The Research Fund
2009
10th International Conference: Living with Polio in the 21st Century
Post-Polio Wellness Retreat
WE'RE STILL HERE! October 11-17, 2009
2010
Receives report from fifth grant for The Research Fund
WE'RE STILL HERE! October 10-16, 2010
Awards two $25,000 grants from The Research Fund