Yes indeed. He was born sickly (nobody really knows why) and with debilitating asthma. He had terrifying nighttime attacks of it as a child. But he had an indomitable will and he pushed himself hard to overcome his limitations, with heavy exercise and boxing. Eventually he became strong and healthy. read more
Franklin D. Roosevelt's paralytic illness began in 1921 when the future President of the United States was 39 years old. His main symptoms were fever; symmetric, ascending paralysis; facial paralysis; bowel and bladder dysfunction; numbness and hyperesthesia; and a descending pattern of recovery. read more
Theodore Roosevelt was the most forceful and aggressive President since Andrew Jackson and equally colorful and popular. Both men were born fighters and leaders of men, who underwent the trial of chronic disease before they matured. read more