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Let us know how much value a man gives to a things and why?FDR and Polio
The following article was researched and written&by Amy Berish, Summer Intern at the
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum. Amy is a Library Science major
at Southern Connecticut State University, Class of 2014.
Introduction
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States. Not only did he
serve an unprecedented four terms in office, but he was also the first president&with
a significant physical disability. FDR was diagnosed with infantile paralysis, better
known as polio, in 1921,&at the age of 39. Although dealing with this crippling disease
was difficult, many believe that his personal struggles helped shape FDR, both as
a man and as a president.
Polio Strikes
Coming from a wealthy family, FDR was privileged to enjoy his summers at the Campobello
Island family cottage that was purchased by his parents in New Brunswick, Canada.
It was at this site that FDR manifested the symptoms of “the insidious and deadly
enemy” known as infantile paralysis. No one is certain of the circumstances leading
to his contraction of polio, many believe he was exposed to the virus at a Boy Scout
camp in New York just prior to going to Campobello.
During the summer of 1921, FDR was enjoying a day of sailing on his yacht when he
suddenly fell overboard into the icy waters of the Bay of Fundy, which ironically
felt paralyzing to his body. The following day, FDR complained of lower back pain
and went for a swim in hopes to ease the soreness. As the day progressed, he could
feel his legs becoming weaker and by the third day, he could no longer hold his own
weight. His skin quickly became very sensitive and eventually even a slight breeze
across his body caused great distress.
Eleanor, who couldn’t bear to see her husband in such anguish, began to contact a
handful of doctors, hoping one of them would be able to find a remedy to his unknown
infirmity. One of these doctors was Dr. Keen who insisted the issue stemmed from a
blood clot located in the lower spinal cord and recommended that he receive lumbar
massages daily in order to help circulation. Days later, FDR was notified by Dr. Keen
that his earlier diagnosis was incorrect and instead he claimed the distress was being
caused by spinal lesion. The massage therapy continued but did not prove to be successful
in curing the paralysis.
"[...]I felt thoroughly achy all over. By the end of the third day practically all
muscles from the chest down were involved."
~Franklin D. Roosevelt, from , 1924&&
On August 25, 1921, another physician, Dr. Robert Lovett, diagnosed FDR with infantile
paralysis (i.e. polio). At that time, polio had no known cure and often resulted in
full or partial paralysis and the erosion of one’s motor skills. Lovett, who was an
expert on the disease, insisted Franklin stop the massages, as they were not helping
the situation and poss he instead suggested that he take hot
Both FDR and Eleanor were surprised by this verdict, as it was uncommon for a middle
aged person to contract polio. Most cases of the disease were acquired during infancy,
but most children become immune to the disease by the age of four. Lovett explained
that in order for a person to combat poliomyelitis, they must be in good emotional
and physical health and have a healthy immune system. This made FDR rethink the actuality
of having the disease since he could recall frequently becoming ill as a young boy,
but for the past few years he had been leading a stressful life in politics that may
have weakened his immunity. At the young age of thirty-nine, FDR became a victim of
infantile paralysis.
Prescription from Dr. Linder Inc. for leg braces. Includes a handwritten note from
FDR saying the braces don’t fit. July 5, 1926.&From collection: FDR Family, Business, Personal Papers. File: "Infantile Paralysis"
Recovery and Rehabilitation
It was during fall of 1921, when FDR made the decision to remove himself from political
life in order to begin his rehabilitation process at his home in Hyde Park, New York.
For several years, his main focus shifted from politics to recovering from his paralysis.
FDR began routinely swimming three times a week in the Astor pool and in the pond.
He had realized that his legs could support the weight of his body in water with ease
and used swimming as his main exercise. By the winter of that year, his arms regained
strength, his nervous system was functioning normally, and his stomach and lower back
were getting stronger (Gallagher 23).
In January 1922, FDR was fit with braces that locked in at the knee and continued
the length of his leg, and by the spring of that year he could stand with assistance.
FDR made a plan that one day he would walk the length of his driveway, which was a
quarter-mile long. Although he never accomplished the task, he used it as a training
procedure, working himself to the bone in hopes that he would be able to walk again
if he continued exercising.
Due to his bright personality, FDR insisted that he be surrounded by “good cheer”
throughout his rehab process. He was known for exercising constantly, even when he
was surrounded by friends. He would often have people watch him and provide company
as he exercised and would carry out a conversation with them despite devoting all
his effort to moving.
FDR also involved his children and family with his daily exercise rituals. At first,
his children were heartbroken seeing their father in such a vulnerable state, struggling
to move. Eventually they became comfortable around his condition and were proactive
in helping him and involving themselves with his rehabilitation process. Eleanor recalled,
“The perfect naturalness with which the children accepted his limitations though they
had always known him as an active person, helped him tremendously in his own acceptance
of them” (Roosevelt, Autobiography 142).
Warm Springs, Georgia
During his rehabilitation process, FDR was contacted by George Foster Peabody, a friend
who knew of his recent polio attack. Peabody recently learned of an incident where
a young man by the name of Louis Joseph, who was stricken by infantile paralysis,
was cured by the “healing waters” of Warm Springs. After hearing of this story, he
recommended the Warm Springs facility to FDR, hoping he too would become miraculously
cured by its medicinal waters.
In 1924, FDR made a trip to the Georgia resort with high hopes that the mineral water
in the springs could treat his paralysis. The spring’s water came from Pine Mountain
and was known to be rich in mineral content and extremely pure. Although the waters
did not restore FDR to ultimate health, his continued visits throughout his political
life resulted in an increase in the resort’s popularity and business.
Above: Home movie footage of various scenes, circa 1928, showing areas around the
treatment facility at Warm Springs, GA. Included in this silent footage are shots
of FDR swimming,&receiving therapy, and attending picnics.&&
In 1926, Warm Springs was having financial issues. As its favorite visitor, FDR couldn’t
allow the fa instead, he bought the facility for $200,000 and
transformed it into a rehabilitation center for polio patients like himself. The following
year, the Warm Springs Foundation was considered a permanent hydrotherapeutic center
by the American Orthopedic Association.
Return to Political Life
FDR made remarkable progress in Hyde Park and Warm Springs, and all his time was well
spent during his rehabilitation period. His efforts and exercises clearly paid off,
but he still remained a paraplegic. Roosevelt had such faith that one day he would
be able to walk again. His stubborn confidence resulted in a personal ultimatum: he
either needed to accept the progress he had made and return to politics or give up
his political dreams in hopes of breaking out of this stagnant phase of recovery.
Eleanor also played a huge role in convincing FDR to resume his political career.
As his wife and co-pilot, she knew he would not be happy in the end if he had decided
to terminate his activity in politics. FDR’s close friend and political advisor, Louis
Howe, also urged FDR to participate in politics again. Though this decision to return
to the political world was supported by two people he respected, it was also looked
down upon by the person he cared about the most, his mother. She became very concerned
with his health and suggested that he retire completely from his hectic life as a
politician. Of course if it had not been for Eleanor and Howe, America might not have
had the experience of having FDR in office, nor anything that stemmed from his presidency.
(Gallagher 20)
"It made it possible for the common people to trust him to understand what it is to
be handicapped by poverty and ignorance, as well as by physical misfortunes.”
~Frances Perkins,&from, The Roosevelt I knew
"Franklin’s illness proved a blessing in disguise, for it gave him strength and courage
he had not had before. He had to think out the fundamentals of living and learn the
greatest of all lessons-infinite patience and never-ending persistence.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt, from her autobiography
As FDR made his way back into political life, he was unsure how the public would react
to his disability. Since his withdrawal from the public eye, not many people knew
exactly what had happened to FDR. There were many rumors concerning his health and
his physical state.
All of this made it even more difficult for FDR to stay emotionally strong and confident
while making his way back into the limelight. His first attempt to regain political
interest was to support New York State Governor Al Smith in the 1924 Democratic Convention.
This was FDR’s first public appearance since his polio attack and everyone was curious
about his condition.&
FDR had expected the public to treat him like any other paraplegic at the time, with
ignorance. During the 1920’s, disability was frowned upon. Often disabled family members
were put into asylums and banished from the family. The disabled were not employable
and were often removed from society.&
As FDR began to move up on the political ladder, Americans were not shaken by his
disability. More citizens were sympathetic to his condition rather than embarrassed.
Fueled by America’s “good cheer” and acceptance, FDR gained more confidence in his
political career and ran for governor of New York in 1928. His disability did not
affect his votes and as a result, he held the governorship for two terms until he
decided to run for President in the 1932 election.
His political advisors often worried about how successful FDR would be in the election.
They feared the words of his opponents and the names people often called him hoping
to break his stride. Despite all of this, FDR’s disability was never brought up as
a problem throughout his 1932 campaign and presidency and did not affect America’s
love for him.
& From the Archives:
Soon after FDR fell ill at Campobello, his family contacted&Dr. R.W. Lovett of the
Harvard Infantile Paralysis Commission, a leading expert on the care and treatment
of polio. Above is Dr. Bennet's letter to FDR's attending physician describing any
measures that may be taken&prior to Roosevelt being moved to the a NYC hospital for&an
in-person exam.&September 2, 1921.From collection: FDR Family, Business, Personal Papers. File: "Infantile Paralysis"&&
In this letter from FDR to Jeremiah Milbank, Roosevelt thanks&Milbank for&making a
significant donation to the&new Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. FDR also describes
at length his own interest and involvement in&raising funds for&polio treatment and
aftercare.&April 25, 1928.From collection: FDR Family, Business, Personal Papers. File: "Infantile Paralysis"
FDR took a great personal interest in combating polio and he occasionally worked with
patients himself at the treatment center he created at Warm Springs.&Above is a letter
written by FDR to Dr. William Egleston in October 1924 in which he details the onset
of his disease and offers suggestions for treatment based upon his own first hand
accounts.From collection: FDR Family, Business, Personal Papers. File: "Infantile Paralysis"
Living with Disability
In private, FDR used a special wheelchair he designed himself. He refused to use a
“regular” wheelchair because the chairs of the time were one-size-fits-all, bulky
and a nuisance to get around in. Most buildings during his era were not wheelchair
therefore Roosevelt needed something small, appealing, efficient, and
discreet. To accomplish this, he used a dining chair and replaced the legs with bicycle-like
wheels. The chair was small and could move around tight corners and narrow hallways
with ease. His wheelchair&did not call a lot of attention since it was made out of
something people were used to seeing in their own homes.
Above: Silent footage of FDR in Poughkeepsie, NY, on October 13, 1937. FDR is shown
walking toward, and then&lifting himself into a&vehicle where he is joined by Eleanor
Roosevelt.
Although FDR’s disability did not directly interfere with his role as President,&he
was not completely comfortable being open about his situation.
Masking his disability in his home was one thing, but the real challenge arose when
he was asked to appear in public or deliver a speech. Often he was required to navigate
to a podium or area in which he would greet listeners. Of course FDR could have simply
chosen to remain in his wheelchair during public events, but he wanted to assure America
that he was capable. He never wanted Americans to get the impression that he was helpless,
so it was important to him to at least seem as if he could walk.
FDR devised a method of “walking” in which he used a cane and the arm of his son or
advisor for balance. He would maneuver his hips and swing is legs forward in a swaying
motion to make it appear as if he was walking. Stairs were also a challenge for FDR,
he learned to support his weight with just his arms, holding himself up as if he were
on parallel bars, and swing his way down toward the next step.
FDR requested that the press avoid photographing him walking, maneuvering, or being
transferred from his car. The stipulation was accepted by most reporters and photographers
but periodically someone would not comply. The Secret Service was assigned to purposely
interfere with anyone who tried to snap a photo of FDR in a “disabled or weak” state
(Gallagher 94).
& From the Museum:
FDR disliked the traditional,&tall-backed&wicker wheelchairs of the 1920s.&For his
own use, he designed the style shown above, a&modified standard desk chair.&MO
Roosevelt wore heavy steel braces to support his body while standing and walking.
Above is a frontal view of one set that included hip supports. MO 1998.1
FDR's 1936 Ford Phaeton&featured hand controls that enabled&him to drive without the
use of his legs. MO 1947.71
Although FDR made the choice to put his paralysis on the back burner in order to return
to political life, he never gave up on the cause. Throughout his presidency, FDR made
sure that he put effort into assisting those who suffered from polio.
After ten years of setting up Warm Springs so that it became the prime place for polio
patients to receive therapy, FDR faced funding issues with the foundation. The first
Birthday Ball in 1934 was held in commemoration of FDR’s birthday. He urged people
in his honor to make monetary donations to the facility and ended up raising one million
dollars for the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation.
Letters to a President
Though the full extent of FDR's paralysis was not well known, most Americans were
aware of his bout with polio and of his efforts to fund research and develop treatment
facilities.
Thousands of Americans, many of them children personally affected by polio, wrote
to FDR. Often they thanked him for demonstrating courage and providing inspiration
to the disabled. Some requested personal messages of support be sent to struggling
family members. Very often, FDR responded directly to the afflicted patients.&
Below are some of those letters, along with replies from the White House (Click the
image&to view). Selections drawn from President's Personal File 50: Congratulations.
The Birthday Balls continued in order to support both Warm Springs and FDR’s . The fundraising for the National Foundation evolved into what we now know as the
March of Dimes. This was a fund-raiser in which all of its proceeds went to the National
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The annual continuation of this occasion eventually
funded the research for the Salk va unfortunately FDR never lived
to see it.&
FDR’s&disability was often called a “blessing in disguise” by his wife. Eleanor had
a way of looking at the big picture instead of worrying over the small stuff. She
understood that the battles her husband fought in life were often more than what they
FDR’s illness threw him into&a category frowned upon by most of the American population.
The way he viewed himself as a person, father and politician despite his limitations
helped others to change the way they viewed others crippled by disease or disability.
Disabled or not, FDR became a symbol of strength and perseverance to Americans, showing
them that “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which
you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have
lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’…You must do
the thing you think you cannot do” (Roosevelt, You Learn by Living 29-30).&
Sources referenced in this article:
Gallagher, Hugh Gregory. FDR's Splendid Deception. Revised Edition ed. 1985. Arlington: Vandamere Press, 1994.
Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor. The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt. First Edition ed. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1937.
Roosevelt, Eleanor. You Learn By Living. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1960.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum National Archives 4079 Albany Post Road | Hyde Park, NY 12538 1 (800) FDR-VISIT or (845) 486-7770