American History Tellers Conquering Polio | The March of Dimes | 1
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Jan 7, 2026 The summer of 1921 brought a personal tragedy for Franklin D. Roosevelt as he contracted polio, leading to a national outcry against the disease that terrorized families. The podcast dives into the creation of the March of Dimes, spearheaded by Roosevelt and Basil O'Connor, which transformed fundraising efforts for polio care and research. From innovative birthday balls to grassroots campaigns, the fight against polio emerged as a powerful unifying force during challenging times.
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Sanitation's Unintended Effect
- Improved sanitation paradoxically increased polio severity by delaying early exposure and immunity in children.
- This shift helps explain why polio surged in more modernized Western nations in the early 20th century.
Roosevelt's Personal Polio Story
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt contracted polio in 1921 and was left paralyzed from the waist down despite being a young public figure.
- His experience led him to seek rehabilitation and eventually purchase Warm Springs as a recovery and treatment center.
Private Lead In Public Health
- The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was set up as a private, nonpartisan organization despite presidential origins.
- In the 1930s, private organizations filled the public-health research and care gap due to minimal federal involvement.