Franklin Roosevelt was stricken with polio when he was in his late 30s. He lost the use of his legs overnight, never to regain it.

Many people might have resigned themselves to a life of disability. But Roosevelt would not. He spent the following years working to strengthen his upper body and figuring out how to adapt to the world. Within seven years, he was elected governor of New York, and within 11 years, he became President of the United States, facing some of our nation’s greatest challenges.

Historians have analyzed those years of illness and rehabilitation, suggesting that what he learned then contributed significantly to his effectiveness as a leader. Here are some of the lessons:

• Overcoming Limitations: There is a difference between being lame and being crippled. Roosevelt resolved to overcome his condition through hard work and creative solutions, enabling him to lead while many remained unaware of his limitations.
• The Gift of Empathy: Roosevelt was born into privilege, yet his illness gave him a new awareness of those in need, deepening his empathy.
• Value of Hard Work: He learned that relying on natural, easy gifts was a weak strategy. The polio experience showed him how quickly advantages could evaporate.
• Resilience in Adversity: His personal hardship during recovery prepared him with the perspective needed to tackle the protracted challenges of the Depression and the conduct of World War II.

You never know how your experiences, challenges, or successes prepare you for what lies ahead. It turns out that what Roosevelt learned from polio helped him save a nation.

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr