polio |
A severe attack of poliomyelitis in 1921 resulted in total paralysis of both legs to the hips. FDR was 39 years old in 1921 [2] Eleanor Roosevelt thought FDR's polio was "a turning point" that "proved a blessing in disguise; for it gave him strength and courage he had not had before" [3a]. Comment: FDR's polio led him to lavishly fund polio research which, in turn, led to the vaccine [8] and, some say, to modern molecular biology. [McKusick in Lincoln article] As President, Roosevelt's train journeys were limited to 35 miles per hour to minimize his discomfort from the vibration of the car [1]. (Perhaps his muscles were weak to the point they couldn't buffer the impact, or they were so wasted that he had no cushion.) |
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Today it is commonly said that FDR's polio was unknown at the time of his election.
Of course, those around him knew. Moreover, they talked about its possible
effect on his Presidency.
Henry L. Stoddard, editor of a New York newspaper, had the following conversation with Calvin Coolidge during FDR's first run for the White House in 1932 [12a]:
"If [FDR is elected]," said Mr. Coolidge, "we will be taking in America
the biggest gamble in government that any people ever took."'
"You refer to Roosevelt's disability?" I asked.
"Yes -- that is part of the gamble," he replied.
"Roosevelt has shown a great fighting spirit. I admire him for it,
but he must have even greater courage to undertake what is ahead of any man
the next four years. He will need greater strength, too. I know the burdens
of the Presidency even [sic] in good times; in this situation they will be
tremendous. There is almost an even chance that neither he nor any man in
stronger health can stand the strain -- and that chance is a good deal for a
nation deliberately to face with all our other uncertainties.
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