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
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