She has been working in the area of post-polio for more than 25 years, providing supportive therapy, lecturing, and writing on the subject. Dr. Backman is the author of the book, The Post-Polio Experience: Psychological Insights and Coping Strategies for Polio Survivors and Their Families, and an earlier book, The Psychology of the Physically Ill Patient. She received her PhD in psychology from Columbia University and pursued further postdoctoral training in clinical psychology at New York University. Dr. Backman has participated in several PNNJ conferences over the years.