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Memorial
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt
 Biography
The
People
 President
Struggle
with
Disability
Eleanor Roosevelt
"This Generation
of
Americans..."
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FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Born the only child of wealthy parents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt
later emerged as champion of the common man. Spurred by his
wife Eleanor and his battle with poliomyelitis, he underwent
this transformation. As FDR fought against the debilitating
disease, he saw in a first hand manner how those less well off
than he struggled to afford the best doctors and the finest
facilities. In response, he funded a polio rehabilitation center
in Warm Springs, Georgia to help those who could not help themselves.
This experience continued to influence FDR as he led the country
through the crisis of the Great Depression. At his second inauguration,
FDR commented that he saw one-third of the nation “ill-housed,
ill-clad, and ill-nourished.” Faced with the daunting task of
lifting the country out of a crippling depression, FDR traveled
the nation speaking to farmers who had lost all their worldly
possessions, meeting with relief organizations over-burdened
by the demands of those in need, and addressing the fears of
people struggling to survive. What the American people saw was
a man, with whom they had little in common, who exhibited sympathy,
understanding, and reassurance.
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