FDR was diagnosed with infantile paralysis which is  better known as Polio, in 1921 at the age of 39. During the summer of 1921 Mr. Roosevelt was enjoying a evening sailing when he suddenly fell over board in the ice water which felt paralizing to his body. The next day he was complaing of back pains and went for a swim to ease the soreness. As the day continued he felt his legs becoming weaker and by the third day he couldn't hold up his weight. His skin became very sensitive and slight breeze caused his body to hurt. During fall of that year Franklin decided to remove himself from politics in order to begin rehab. In 1992 he was fitted for a brace that locked his knee and continued the length of his arm. By spring of that year he was able to walk with help from others. After the years of rehbilitation he was encouraged by his wife and friends to get into politics again. He thought everyone was going to judge him because he was handicapped but to his surprise everyone was sympathetic to his condition. His disability did not affect his vote for him running for gorverner of New York and his when he ran for President.