0

Todd and Franklin Roosevelt

Youngcare Resident Todd Winther

17 May 2015

Todd takes us into his apartment at Sinnamon Park and shares his most admired person in history – Franklin Roosevelt.

There’s this picture on my wall;

Youngcare Resident Todd Winther

I purchased it four and a half years ago at the start of my debilitating depressive episode, which led me on my journey to Youngcare. My psychologist suggested that rather than constantly looking at things that reminded me of past events, I should focus on the person that I admired most.

There are many reasons that I instantly chose Franklin Delano Roosevelt, American President between 1933-1945. Some are obvious, others not so. He is arguably history’s greatest political leader. He was also physically disabled. Roosevelt’s ability as a political leader, the same qualities that helped him withstand the enormous challenges of the Great Depression and the Second World War are directly linked to the challenges he faced with his disability.

Roosevelt first contracted the polio virus in 1921, at the age of 39, 12 years before he ascended to America’s highest political office. It was the first time in his whole life Franklin Roosevelt did not get what he wanted after a privileged upbringing and a charmed political career.

In most cases, having a disability teaches you empathy, compassion and a greater understanding of human nature. We are not merely people who face challenges every day, we excel in life because the tenacity and persistence required to live are transferred into all of our other pursuits. That was certainly true in Roosevelt’s case.

I would argue that without his polio he would have not been President. There would be no New Deal, the program that created the first welfare state, which introduced the system of benefits for the unemployed, the disabled, and other marginalised groups. This Welfare State sustained economies worldwide for the latter half of the 20th century. Without Franklin Roosevelt, life in the Western World as we know it would not exist.

If there’s one quote that encapsulates Franklin Roosevelt,  it would be this:

Early on in his Presidency, Roosevelt discussed the merits of implementing a policy. An aide told him ‘You can’t do that!’ to which he simply replied:

I’ve done a lot of things I can’t do’

 

Todd is a resident at the Youngcare Wesley Mission Brisbane Apartments at Sinnamon Park, a PHD Candidate in Political Science at Griffith University and an avid Port Adelaide Power supporter. Read Todd’s story by CLICKING HERE or head over to his personal blog “Thoughts of a frustrated visionary“.

Let us know who you admire most on our Facebook page!

SHARE THIS!
News you might like:
2 August 2017 Youngcare explores options as NSW project ends Youngcare’s partnership with St. Vincent’s Australia to deliver high care housing ...
8 March 2017 Sylvia Jeffreys joins the Youngcare crusade January not only marked the start to an exciting new year, but the announcement of ...
30 August 2016 National not-for-profit organisation Youngcare today announced the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan. Mr ...
24 July 2017 A message from our partners at Vincents At VINCENTS one of our core values is to actively build a company environment that contributes ...
24 July 2017 Out and about International Women’s Day was a great success celebrating women and raising funds for Youngcare. Hosted by the ...
1 February 2017 Familiar face adds voice to national issue This week, 700,000 young people with high care needs across the country have been given a ...
8 March 2017 Albany Creek update We are thrilled to announce that the Youngcare and MS Queensland Apartments at Albany Creek are on track to be a ...
18 July 2017 The Today Show aired Todd and Kat's story 'I never thought I’d find somebody like her': How gaining independence led a young man ...
8 March 2017 CEO message Two months into my new role at Youngcare, it’s fantastic to be writing for my first Y News! There are exciting times ...
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has changed the disability sector forever. For the first time in Australian history, young people with ...
Categories
Archives

Are you a young person seeking help?

What we do

GET INFO

Get Help

GET INFO

Contact Us

GET INFO

A huge thanks to our supporters 

Network First
Tradelink
Stan and Maureen Duke Foundation
Une Parkinson Foundation
HSF
ALS Global
The Co Group
Channel Nine
The Walter and Eliza Hall Trust
National Storage
Betta Home Living
Skip to content