Franklin Delano Roosevelt is often thought of as the only United States President with a disability, but our nation has a distinguished line of presidents with disabilities or other special needs.
Joe Biden, 1942 – (speech disorder – stuttering)
46th United States President
William Jefferson Clinton, 1946- (hearing impairment)
“We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more.”
42nd President of the United States wears hearing aids.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1890-1969, (learning disability)
34th President of the United States; leader of the victorious Allied forces in Europe during World War II.
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, (learning disability)
3rd President of the United States 1801-1809 and author of the Declaration of Independence. Remembered as a great president, a diplomat, political thinker, and founder of the Democratic Party. Reported to have many learning difficulties, such as stuttering and dyslexia.
John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963, (learning disability, chronic pain)
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
35th President of the United States. Was the youngest man ever elected President. He was also the youngest ever to die in office. He won world respect as the leader of the Free World.
Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, (mental disease)
“Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.”
16th President experienced severe, incapacitating headaches, and occasional suicidal depression. Also, thought to have Marfan Syndrome.
James Madison, 1751-1836, (epilepsy)
4th President 1809-1817, drafted the Bill of Rights. Often referred to as the Father of the Constitution. Played a leading role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where he helped design the checks and balances system that equalizes the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. He also created the federal system. Battled epilepsy his entire life.
Ronald Reagan, 1911-2004, (hearing impairment)
40th President of the United States. 1981-1989. Also served two terms as governor of California. In 1932, he became a radio announcer for WOC in Davenport, Iowa and later WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1937 he signed a contract with Warner Brothers and his first film was Love is on the Air.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1882-1945, (polio)
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
32nd President of the United States and promised to create jobs for the unemployed and gave assistance to those in need. He contracted polio at 39 and worked very hard to hide the extent of his disability.
George Washington, 1732-1799, (learning disability)
“99% of failures come from people who make excuses.”
1st President of the United States. Throughout his life he struggled with spelling and grammar. We was thought to have learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia, and taught himself to correct the program.
Woodrow Wilson, 1856-1924, (learning disability)
28th President of the United States from 1913-1921 who is known to have a (learning disability) (dyslexia). World War I leader awarded Nobel Peace Prize for Versailles Treaty, 1919, domestic reforms included 1914 creation of Federal Reserve.
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