The Healing Waters of Warm Springs: How Georgia Shaped FDR
In 1921, a future president faced a challenge that would change his life forever. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a young and energetic politician, contracted polio. This serious virus left his legs permanently paralyzed, meaning he could no longer walk without help. Refusing to give up hope, Roosevelt searched the country for a way to regain his strength. His search led him to a tiny, quiet town in Georgia called Warm Springs.
Roosevelt first visited Warm Springs in 1924. He had heard stories of a natural spring with warm, mineral-rich waters that could help people with paralyzed muscles. When he stepped into the eighty-eight-degree water, he felt something wonderful. The buoyancy of the water supported his body, allowing him to stand and even walk with leg braces for the first time in years. Roosevelt fell in love with the peaceful southern town and the healing waters.
- polio:
- A serious virus that can cause muscle weakness and permanent paralysis.
- buoyancy:
- The ability of a fluid to exert an upward force on an object, helping it float.
- rehabilitation:
- The process of helping someone heal or regain skills and strength after an illness or injury.
- sanctuary:
- A safe, peaceful place that offers protection or shelter.
- New Deal:
- A series of government programs and projects created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help the country recover from the Great Depression.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What medical condition did Franklin D. Roosevelt contract in 1921?
- 2Why did Roosevelt first travel to Warm Springs, Georgia, in 1924?
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About this biography passage for Upper Elementary
“The Healing Waters of Warm Springs: How Georgia Shaped FDR” is a biography reading passage about Franklin D. Roosevelt and Warm Springs, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (393 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.