Franklin D. Roosevelt's paralytic illness began in 1921 at age 39, when he got a fever after exercising heavily during a vacation in Canada. While Roosevelt's bout with illness was well known during his terms as President of the United States, the extent of his paralysis was kept from public view. After his death, his illness and paralysis became a major part of his image. He was diagnosed with poliomyelitis two weeks after he fell ill. A 2003 retrospective study favored a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a conclusion criticized by other researchers.
Read more about Franklin D. Roosevelt's Paralytic Illness: Timeline and History of Illness, Possible Causes, Personal Impact, Charitable Legacy, Public Awareness of FDR's Disability
Famous quotes containing the words franklin d, franklin, roosevelt and/or illness:
“War is a contagion.”
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“You are wonderful. I love and honor you.... [ellipsis in source] Lead your own life, attend to your charities, cultivate yourself, travel when you wish, bring up the children, run your house. I’ll give you all the freedom you wish and all the money I can but—leave me my business and politics.”
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“Murderous desire, hatred, distrust are nowadays the accompanying signs of physical illness: so thoroughly have we embodied our moral prejudices.—Perhaps cowardice and pity appear as symptoms of illness in savage ages. Perhaps even virtues might be symptoms.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)