Defining the Odds by Elizabeth

Defining the Odds by Elizabeth - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

Animals see the wounded of their own kind and relate it with weakness, and humans have maintained this same mentality despite characters who have risen to prove this incorrect. However, no matter the stereotype of the disabled, Franklin D. Roosevelt rose above this and chose to prove to America that no matter their stance they could break the barriers and be outstanding. Therefore, I would be honored with the chance to have a dinner with him to speak about him overcoming the obstacles of disability, getting us through devastation with wars, and helping the United States tear from the devastation of the Great Depression.

Foremost, Franklin Roosevelt was stricken with polio in 1921 which left his legs constrained to movement. Demonstrating indomitable courage, he fought to keep as much strength as he could, mainly through swimming, and ended up going from a wheelchair to crutches. With his courage of indescribable lengths, he managed to keep his goal of following in his fifth cousin’s, Theodore Roosevelt, footsteps and continued to work toward gaining the role of President. In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt overcomes the odds and became president of the United States, proving to millions that even when disabled, there was no limit. Despite his high stance, he wanted to put effort toward helping children who stand where he used to be. Therefore, in 1938 he began the organization which is now called the March of Dimes. With all honor to him, for the past seventy-nine years, this organization has changed the lives of millions of children.

In addition to a changing life, Franklin Roosevelt managed to drastically alter America's role in the world. In a total of twelve years, he began making decisions that would alter where the United States stood and still stands today. He proved to be an amazingly talented wartime leader after the devastating tragedy of Pearl Harbor and created a tremendous turning point in World War Two. As he performed actions during these times he also took into consideration how the people felt and he would not push forward without their support. Along with this, he managed to fight the Great Depression on a number of fronts. In just his first hundred days he made drastic changes that lifted up our economy and gave the American people a sense of hope. Despite this, he had to perform many trials and experience failure before finding prosperity. However, despite the trials, he stood tall and changed the mistakes until he exhibited nothing but hope for what the U.S. would become.

Moreover, if the prospect of a discussion with Franklin Roosevelt arose I would prepare to have a better understanding of how to construct change. He is known for being handed the unfavorable and turning it into the admirable. He learned to accept his failure but not to accept defeat, therefore to learn from the mistakes instead. If one could hear his wise words they may understand what to undertake to better themselves and the country. My mistakes have trialed me for many years and will for more years to come, but through his words, I could become inspired and therefore inspire others. The United States is full of individual and unique people who are capable of composing an astounding world; however to do that they must learn to take less and make more. Then with the individual work, everyone can come together to better the United States just as Franklin Roosevelt did with his individual work as he made it a work of all.

To conclude, Franklin Roosevelt would give me the faith that I need to reassure me that there is aspiration for success despite my failures. He has determined that having disability or an issue that could hold you back, does not actually effect where one can end up. He took even the worst of circumstances and remodeled them into an inspiring situation. Through overcoming polio, being an astounding commander in chief, and pulling the United States from the devastation of poverty Franklin Roosevelt took stereotypes and proved them fallacious.