A century ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt became ill. This illness developed into a paralysis, which caused him to use a wheelchair. At the time, society was not kind to wheelchair users. They were seen as weak and expendable. So, FDR chose to hide the extent of his disability. He used various tricks and methods to make it seem that he was not dependent on a wheelchair when in fact he was.
This video gives an overview of little known facts concerning FDR, his illness and the methods he employed to cover it up:
Fortunately, times have changed. It is no longer necessary to hide an illness in order to win an election. There are several successful politicians who have serious disabilities. But more change is needed in order guarantee equal rights and accessibility to wheelchair users.
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