This October 2012, The Four Freedoms Park was officially opened on the northern most point of Roosevelt Island. I would encourage all to visit this park for its beauty, Louis Kahn's innovation and for freedom.
Those that remember the 1950's will tell you of the elation that was felt when a successful vaccine for polio was founded. Not yet installed at the entrance of the Four Freedoms Park is a bronze statue of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his wheelchair with a girl approaching him. Rarely if any are there photo's of FDR in his wheelchair. He had suffered from polio. Roosevelt became fascinated and intrigued with the soothing waters of Warm Springs, Georgia. The warm. hot springs are known for their healing potential from Hippocrates, Artistole and others.
There are many warm springs in the United States - White Sulphur Springs of West Virginia, the Saratoga Springs and the Hot Springs in Arkansas. But FDR did go the Warm Springs of Georgia. He already had used water therapy for his polio at the pool of Vincent Astor in the Hudson Valley area. He arrived in Warm Springs in 1924 and stayed for weeks. He continued this until his death in 1945. He died there from a stroke on April 15, 1945. One thing consistent about Warm Springs was the consistent temperature of the water and its high calcium, and magnesium content
From the countless biographies written about FDR and the few I have read --he had one consistent spirit. Warm Springs started to have other polio victims traveling there. He was a big supporter of Warm Springs and set up a Foundation for donations. It became his 'little White House' He inspired others FDR could be himself there and be among the other afflicted American people.
His treatment became interrupted as he ran for Governor of New York in 1928 which sprang to the winning the 1932 Presidential Election. He would be the only President in history to run and win 4 times as the United States President.
He wasn't going to run in 1932 for President He was concerned with Warm Springs and its financial struggles., But when a donation of $250,000 came from the Democratic Party chairman, John Raskob--FDR ran and the rest is history
For peace, serenity and to glance at a piece of history , I highly recommend the Four Freedoms Park.
Be thankful today and every day
Until tomorrow
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