WILSON SUFFERS STROKE IN COLORADO WHILE ON SPEAKING TOUR
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 2, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a major stroke which was to have a devastating impact on the last years of his term of office.
The President, according to historian Edwin A. Weinstein, had a long history of cerebrovascular disease* dating back to his first stroke in 1896.
Throughout the following years, it was Mr. Wilson's custom to deny that he had a serious health problem.
The President's physician and the First Lady discouraged informing the Nation of the true facts of Mr. Wilson's condition.
JFK+50 NOTE
President Wilson was on a nation wide speaking tour in an attempt to gain support for the Treaty of Versailles when he collapsed in Pueblo, Colorado.
The stroke left Mr. Wilson paralyzed on the left side of his body and his vision was impaired. When he attended his first cabinet meeting after the stroke six months later, everyone was shocked by his appearance.
*cerebrovascular disease is a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain leading to a reduced blood flow & oxygen supply to the brain.
SOURCES
"President Wilson Suffers Stroke," JFK+50, October 2, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
"Woodrow Wilson--Strokes and denial," The University of Arizona, www.lib.arizona.edu/
