The only US president to have used a wheelchair was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945.
Roosevelt contracted polio in 1921, which left him with partial paralysis in his legs. While he did not use a wheelchair regularly in public, he relied on it for mobility in private settings.
Roosevelt's struggles with polio were largely kept private, and he worked diligently to maintain a public image of strength and leadership. He often used crutches or a cane to walk, and he was known for his determination to overcome his physical limitations.
While Roosevelt was not the first president to face health challenges, his experience with polio helped to raise awareness of the disease and its impact on individuals. He also championed the development of new treatments and therapies for polio, which ultimately led to the eradication of the disease in the United States.
