• Home
  • The Author
  • The Book
  • Excerpt
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Other Works
  • Order Now


Olivia’s Story
Home › Blog › Blog, My General Musings › Perseverance
Perseverance
04 Dec

Perseverance

David L Dahl Blog, My General Musings 0 0

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR, fifth cousin of Teddy Roosevelt,  32nd President, the only man ever elected to more than two Presidential terms, and perhaps one of the greatest American Presidents.

The man is remembered for the New Deal, Social Security, and winning WWII; all are indeed great accomplishments. However, perseverance remains his grandest achievement.

An up and coming young politician, FDR, like his cousin Teddy Roosevelt, led a vigorous, active life. In 1913 he became Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a position he held until 1920, and he was only thirty-one years old. During WW I he earned a reputation as a man who got things done. After the war, although only thirty-seven, he ran for Vice-President. He lost, yet his future prospects were bright.

Then, less than a year later, he was struck a blow that would have destroyed most men. The shock was sudden. A tired yet healthy FDR  crawled into bed on August 9, 1921. When he awoke next morning, he could no longer walk.

It was Polio, a terrifying children’s disease.  Not yet forty years old, FDR found himself paralyzed from the chest down. In 1921, there were no cures for Polio;  epidemics were as frequent as they were feared. The best science could offer was to treat the symptoms, and teach the afflicted how to cope with the paralysis. Today, the Polio Vaccine,  developed in the 1950’s, has nearly eliminated the scourge.

Many thought that FDR’s political career was over. Even his Mother urged him to retire. Roosevelt refused, strapping on painful iron braces he learned to stand, and to walk short distances, swinging his paralyzed legs between his crutches; even then, he required someone to steady him. Nevertheless, seven years later, Roosevelt became Governor of New York. Four years after that, he became President of the United States.

“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

– FDR

His doggedness found a kindred spirit in Winston Churchill and inspired a generation of Americans to overcome the Depression and to win a World War. Most of us will never face trials as severe as those FDR suffered, yet we can all learn from his example. In spite of life’s speed bumps, we can carry on, we can persevere.

“Franklin’s illness…gave him strength and courage he had not had before. He had to think out the fundamentals of living and learn the greatest of all lessons – infinite patience and never ending persistence.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

 

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something”

— FDR

 

– David L Dahl.

Need a gift for a young reader check out Olivia’s Story: Protector of the Realm

 

{Photo from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum.

To the best of their knowledge, the image is in the public domain and can be used without further permission.}

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related


FDR Franklin Roosevelt not giving up not quitting perseverance Polio Roosevelt

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recent Posts

  • Had a wonderful time discussing “Those Kids Deserve Water Too”
  • Those Kids Deserve Water Too
  • Coming soon – Those Kids Deserve Water Too
  • These Guys Still Make House Calls.
  • ♫ Give a Hoot – ♫

Recent Comments

  • Gabriel on These Guys Still Make House Calls.
  • AmyL on Why is That in Our Food?
  • Teresa Wilburn on At Least It Wasn’t A Dinosaur
  • ig on Tent Flaps and the Storm of the Century
  • Shari on A Thump In The Night

Archives

  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

  • Blog
  • Book Reviews
  • My General Musings
  • Olivia's Story News and Events
  • Politics
  • The Patoka History Project


  • Home
  • The Author
  • The Book
  • Excerpt
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Other Works
  • Order Now

Copyright © 2019. David L. Dahl. All rights reserved.