23. F. D. Roosevelt

Franklin.D.Roosevelt (1882-1945) was the 32nd President on U.S.A.

He was elected four times for this prestigious office continuously and served from 1933 to 1945. He is the only President who has served for more than two terms of office.

While he was on vacation at Campobello Island in 1921, he contacted an illness which left him completely paralyzed from waist down. He could never accept the fact that he was paralyzed for life!

He sought every possible cure ranging from electric current to ultraviolet rays; from massages to mineral baths-anything that could cure his paralysis, make his atrophied legs stronger and revitalize his weakened muscles!

He had to convince the public that he was getting better-if he wanted to run for a public office. Fitting his legs and hip with iron braces, he taught himself to walk short distances, with the help of a cane.

In private and when alone by himself, he would use a wheel chair, after making sure that no one could see him in it. In Public he would stand upright supported on one side by one of his sons or aides. A special car designed with hand controls gave him greater mobility.

He led the U.S.A efficiently at the height of its economic crisis and at the depths of The Great Depression. His combination of Optimism and Activism revived the National Spirit.

Working closely with Winston Churchill and Stalin in leading the Allies against Germany and Japan, he died just before the Allied emerged victorious in the World War II!

Visalakshi Ramani