Becoming FDR

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt is often remembered as a political "natural," born into wealth and charisma, seemingly destined for greatness. However, despite his early advantages, he initially lacked the depth, empathy, and strategic acumen essential for his presidential success. These qualities were developed during his eight-year battle with illness. After contracting polio in 1921, Roosevelt faced paralysis from the waist down at just thirty-nine. He spent nearly a decade healing and adapting to his new reality. By the time he returned to the national stage, he had transformed both personally and politically. His experiences made him shrewd, as he learned to tailor his speeches for radio, reaching far beyond his physical limitations. The suffering he endured instilled in him a deep compassion, strengthening his connection with "the forgotten man." Most importantly, he discovered how to inspire hope in dire circumstances, a skill he would later use to lead Americans through the Great Depression and World War II. The polio years also catalyzed Eleanor Roosevelt's evolution, as her initial hesitance gave way to a determination to become an influential figure in her own right. This narrative captures the profound transformation of a man who emerged from immense challenges with newfound wisdom and resilience.