Today’s post is a history lesson, but I hope you find it enlightening rather than dull. It’s Presidents’ Day, a holiday originally created to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on February 22. As the nation grew and elected more presidents, the holiday evolved into a day to honor all U.S. presidents.
Presidents and Disabilities: A Lesser-Known History
Since this blog focuses on disability, you might wonder why I’m writing about Presidents’ Day. The reason? Many past U.S. presidents have had disabilities—some visible, some hidden. Growing up, I had dreams of becoming president, thinking I would be the first disabled person to hold the office. However, history proves otherwise.
One of the most well-known examples is Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). According to Wikipedia, FDR was elected in 1932 as the 32nd president of the United States. He remains the only physically disabled president in U.S. history. FDR led the country through the Great Depression. He also guided the nation during World War II. He implemented the New Deal and reshaped the American economy.
Before he moved into the White House, ramps were installed to make it more wheelchair-friendly. To maintain his public image, photos were taken at specific angles to minimize the visibility of his disability.
FDR’s Disability and Advocacy
FDR began experiencing symptoms of a paralytic illness in 1921 at age 39 and was later diagnosed with poliomyelitis. He underwent extensive therapy, including hydrotherapy at Warm Springs, Georgia. Although paralyzed from the waist down, he made great efforts to conceal his reliance on a wheelchair and leg braces. In 1938, he founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which played a crucial role in developing polio vaccines. While most historical records attribute his condition to polio, some modern experts suggest he may have had Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Disability advocate Hugh Gallagher argued that Roosevelt went to great lengths to appear able-bodied, stating:
“FDR did not want the public to be aware that he was forced to use a wheelchair.”
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In contrast, historian James Tobin suggested that Roosevelt used his disability as a strength. He portrayed himself as a fighter and an underdog. He did this rather than becoming someone to pity.
In one of his rare public acknowledgments of his disability, Roosevelt addressed Congress on March 1, 1945, just a month before his death:
“I hope that you will pardon me for this unusual posture of sitting down, but I know you will realize that it makes it a lot easier for me not to have to carry about ten pounds of steel around on the bottom of my legs.”
Designing an Inclusive Legacy: The FDR Memorial
Even after his passing, the National Park Service ensured his memorial was accessible. According to NPS, landscape architect Lawrence Halprin designed the FDR Memorial with wheelchair ramps. He incorporated interactive statues and Braille engravings. These features made it accessible long before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted.
Other Presidents with Disabilities
FDR was not the only president with a disability. According to United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton, many U.S. presidents had disabilities, ranging from epilepsy to learning disabilities. Here are a few:
- George Washington (1st President, 1789-1797): Believed to have had a learning disability due to struggles with spelling and grammar.
- Thomas Jefferson (3rd President, 1801-1809): Reportedly had a learning disability despite being a principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
- James Madison (4th President, 1809-1817): Had epilepsy but played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution.
- Abraham Lincoln (16th President, 1861-1865): Battled severe depression and possibly had Marfan Syndrome.
- Theodore Roosevelt (26th President, 1901-1909): Suffered from visual impairment due to a boxing injury.
- Woodrow Wilson (28th President, 1913-1921): Had a learning disability, possibly dyslexia, and suffered a stroke while in office.
- John F. Kennedy (35th President, 1961-1963): Experienced chronic back pain and is suspected to have had a learning disability.
- Ronald Reagan (40th President, 1981-1989): Developed hearing impairment due to an on-set accident during his acting career.
- Bill Clinton (42nd President, 1993-2001): Has high-frequency hearing loss and wears hearing aids.
A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
Throughout American history, presidents with disabilities have faced unique challenges, yet they persevered to lead the nation. Their stories highlight the importance of resilience and show that disabilities do not define a person’s potential.
This Presidents’ Day, as we honor the leaders of our country, let’s also recognize the barriers they overcame. Disability should never be seen as a limitation—it is simply one aspect of the diverse experiences that shape great leaders.
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