Eleanor Roosevelt gave reassuring touch to polio victim

Phil Reisman, USA Toda

The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News, White Plains, N.Y.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — During World War II, a special tea reception was staged at the White House for members of the American Red Cross. The exact date of the event is forgotten. But the hostess was Eleanor Roosevelt, who, in the previous war, had tirelessly served in the Red Cross herself.

Red Cross workers eagerly lined up to meet the first lady. Among them was Ruthanna Thomas, a young woman from rural Missouri and an only child whose parents believed that their deliverance from the ravages of the Great Depression was owed to faith, perseverance and the New Deal. They revered the Roosevelts. Eleanor Roosevelt, in particular, was a heroine to Ruthanna.

As the line moved along, Ruthanna became increasingly nervous. Her left hand began to shake uncontrollably. She couldn't stop it. One of the other workers pointed at her predicament, and laughed.

The shaking only got worse.

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