JFK PASSES 1ST PHYSICAL AS POTUS
West Palm Beach, Florida (JFK+50) On December 27, 1961, President John F. Kennedy underwent a physical examination while on vacation at his father's estate here in West Palm Beach.
The report stated the President was "in excellent general health except for his back." Despite the qualification, there was some indications that JFK's back issues had improved.
Dr. Preston Wade said that JFK had made substantial progress in strengthening his back over the previous months through exercise. The President had also taken injections, worn a corset and a shoe lift, and used a rocking chair to relieve his "aching back."
Despite the healthy image JFK projected during his presidency, the world was generally aware that he suffered from back pain and while the press refrained from publishing photographs of the President during times he had to resort to the use of crutches, they did not attempt to cover up his back issues.
SOURCE
"Acts of agony," by James G. Blight, The New Statesman, August 7, 2013, www.newstatesman.com/
West Palm Beach, Florida (JFK+50) On December 27, 1961, President John F. Kennedy underwent a physical examination while on vacation at his father's estate here in West Palm Beach.
The report stated the President was "in excellent general health except for his back." Despite the qualification, there was some indications that JFK's back issues had improved.
Dr. Preston Wade said that JFK had made substantial progress in strengthening his back over the previous months through exercise. The President had also taken injections, worn a corset and a shoe lift, and used a rocking chair to relieve his "aching back."
Despite the healthy image JFK projected during his presidency, the world was generally aware that he suffered from back pain and while the press refrained from publishing photographs of the President during times he had to resort to the use of crutches, they did not attempt to cover up his back issues.
SOURCE
"Acts of agony," by James G. Blight, The New Statesman, August 7, 2013, www.newstatesman.com/
LBJ & JFK
September 17, 1963
Photo by Abbie Rowe, NPS
NARA Photo
White House Historical Association
