Armstrong – Table of Contents

coast of Maine. While there, he pursued a vigorous physical life style that included
swimming in the frigid waters of the Bay of Fundy and leading his children on races
along and through the rocky coast line. After three days of this activity, he developed
fever, severe limb aching and paralysis. Medical specialists from Boston invited to the
Island made the diagnosis, and Roosevelt returned to New York City amidst great secrecy
concerning his illness and disability. Through indomitable will and perseverance,
Roosevelt determined that he would overcome his physical handicap, project an
appearance of vigorous good health and resume his political career with the eventual goal
of becoming President of the United States. Shortly after convalescence from his acute
illness, he joined his lifelong friend, Mr. D. Basil O’Connor in a lucrative law practice.
O’Connor was to play a major role in managing the complex financial and philanthropic
aspects of the organizations associated with Roosevelt’s poliomyelitis. Roosevelt, in
1924, discovered the decrepit sanitarium in Warm Springs, Georgia that he visited
frequently for therapy. Under O’Connor’s management Warm Springs was renovated,
and it became the home of the Warm Springs Foundation that accepted charitable
donations for polio research and treatments.
After Roosevelt’s election, annual charitable balls were held nationwide from
1934 to 1937 around his birthdays on January 30 and were labeled “President’s Birthday
Balls.” The “Birthday Balls” raised large sums of money the purpose of which was to
“finance the fight against polio.” O’Connor managed the collection of money but a
special commission was established called the “President’s Birthday Ball Commission.”
Eleven prominent citizens were invited to serve, none of who had experience or
background in medical research except for Paul DeKruif who began his professional