GDWW - Virtual Visit - The Little White House Lesson

Virtual Visit - The Little White House

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was a unique President in many ways. He is the only president to have been elected to more than two terms. FDR was not only elected to a third term in 1940, but a fourth term in 1944. FDR also led the United States through two very difficult events: the Great Depression and World War II. FDR was also the only American president to have a serious physical disability.

In 1921, at the age of 39, FDR contracted one of the most dreaded diseases of the time: polio. Polio left him paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life and he had to use a wheelchair for mobility. This did not limit FDR as he would go on to become an accomplished President. Unfortunately, physical disabilities were not as accepted as in today's society. They were often seen as a sign of weakness and few places had accommodations for people with physical limitations. Because of this, FDR would rarely allow himself to be photographed in his wheelchair and gave speeches standing up while supported by something that he could grasp on to.

FDR frequently traveled to Warm Springs, Georgia, for polio treatments. The warm springs there provided a therapeutic treatment in the context of a treatment facility that continues in operation to this day. The home that FDR had built there is known as "The Little White House" and resembles, on a small scale, the famous presidential residence in Washington, D.C. FDR died in the Little White House on April 12, 1945 from a cerebral hemorrhage (massive stroke) soon after beginning his fourth term as President. Today the Little White House and Warm Springs can be visited to learn more about FDR, his presidency, and the treatment of polio and other diseases.

Click here to visit The Little White House Links to an external site..

 

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