Reference no: EM133283827

Assignment:

Setting:

During the time of the "Greatest Generation" (American generation that weathered the Great Depression and fought World War II) , very few Americans realized that president Franklin D. Roosevelt who projected an image of vigorous leadership during the 1930s and World War II was confined to a wheelchair. He suffered from polio at the age of 27 and the muscles in his legs were so weak that he found it extremely difficult to stand or walk.

Throughout his presidency, he kept up a masquerade that he was physically strong. He developed numerous tricks to conceal his physical limitations. He would lean on the podium while giving speeches, he had a car rigged with special hand petals to allow him to drive (his legs were too weak to work a clutch), and he refused to have any photographs taken of him while sitting in his wheelchair (there is only one family photo of him with his granddaughter that portrays him in the wheelchair). Those near to him kept his secret and media editors largely protected the president (oh, how the media has changed today).

Your Question:

Why did he hide his disability from the public? In your opinion, was Roosevelt right or wrong to hide the truth from America? How should we remember him today? If we construct a statue of him today, should we show him standing or sitting in a wheelchair? What do you think?