It was Sept. 23, 1944, when Franklin D. Roosevelt, running for his fourth term in the White House, made a campaign speech that contained a now-famous mention of his dog, Fala.

As president, Roosevelt could feel reasonably confident of the state of affairs for which his office was responsible. The nation was still fighting World War II, but victory was less than a year away, and the Great Depression was becoming a distant memory.

Part of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

But in spite of Roosevelt's remarkably successful, 12-year occupancy of the nation's highest office, Republican Thomas Dewey was mounting what would ultimately be Roosevelt's stiffest campaign challenge.

With the war going so well, Dewey didn't dare challenge Roosevelt's record as wartime commander in chief. Instead, he criticized Roosevelt's age (62), along with Roosevelt's alleged insistence that the Navy send a destroyer to the Aleutian Islands to rescue his beloved Scottish terrier.

"I don't resent the attacks, and my family doesn't resent the attacks, but Fala does resent them," Roosevelt told his chuckling audience that night. "I think I have a right to resent, to object to libelous statements about my dog."

But it's not Dewey's attacks on Roosevelt's age — or his dog — that makes the 1944 presidential election campaign relevant to people affected by neuromuscular diseases today. Rather, it's what Dewey didn't say.

Even in the heat of a fiercely partisan political battle, Dewey and the Republicans chose not to attack Roosevelt for his most closely guarded secret: the fact that he was disabled by poliomyelitis and used a wheelchair for mobility.

'Conventional Wisdom'

On May 2, 1997 — more than 52 years after Roosevelt took the oath of office for the fourth time —the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was dedicated in Washington. Though Roosevelt had been dead for over a half century,there was still a heated debate over whether or not the memorial should contain a statue depicting Roosevelt in his wheelchair (the final decision was yes).

Back in his day, Roosevelt benefited from a "gentleman's agreement" between the administration, political adversaries and the media not to disclose the extent of his disability or the fact that he used a wheelchair. But in the rough-and-tumble world of today's politics — especially given the intense scrutiny candidates receive from the media — it would be impossible to conceal a physical disability from the voters.

Although Roosevelt is considered one of the twentieth century's greatest presidents, many people believe that if he were to run today, he'd have little or no chance of winning.

It's doubtful that the man who took on Hitler, Mussolini and the emperor of Japan would be willing to accept such "conventional wisdom." Because if there's one thing Roosevelt seemingly never learned how to do, it was to back away from a fight.

Don't Get Mad — Get Elected

No one will blame you if you don't quite feel up to the rigors of running for president — yet. But there are many opportunities for people with neuromuscular diseases to make a real difference by throwing their hats into the political arena.

My body is failing, so I have to rely on other strengths. Communication is a skill that I've had to develop. Ron Ahlberg

Ron Ahlberg of The Dalles, Ore., doesn't see himself as a politician, though he currently serves as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Northern Wasco County Park and Recreation District. Originally appointed to the position to replace a director who was retiring, Ahlberg has since run unopposed for a four-year term of his own.

Unlike the presidency, Ahlberg's post doesn't come with Secret Service bodyguards, a six-figure salary or a fully staffed mansion — though, like the president, he does get to work from home.

"It was the first time my name was on a ballot," he laughs. "I felt like Steve Martin's character in the movie 'The Jerk.' 'Now I'm really somebody!'"

For Ahlberg it isn't about fame or fortune. It's about staying active and being a part of the community.

"It's just real important to stay involved," he asserts. "I think it keeps you healthier and happier."

In addition to his elected position, Ahlberg serves on the city's planning and zoning commission, and on the budget committee for his local school district.

"That's actually how I got started in this whole public process," he recalls. "The community had been struggling for 20 years on what to do about the replacement of a school that was falling down. So I got involved and became part of the steering committee of that task force."

Ahlberg then spearheaded the bond election to finance the new school. "We'll be having a brand new middle school that they'll be able to move into. It's being built right now."

Ahlberg, 46, attributes his interest in education and recreational issues to his 20-plus year involvement with MDA summer camp. Ahlberg is affected by limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair for mobility.

"That's the real crazy thing. I don't have any kids of my own," he explains. "But to a lot of kids I'm Uncle Ronny-Bear, so I understand the importance of education."

Ahlberg, who previously worked in radio and television, says he became active in community affairs as a result of encouragement from his friends.

"I was always a pretty good spokesman, and they always had their opinions on things, and I had mine, too," he explains. "They'd get frustrated and I'd say, 'Why don't you go to these meetings and let someone know?' They said, 'Why don't you go for me?' That's kind of how it got started."

Ahlberg believes his disability not only fails to hinder him in his public life. In some aspects it actually helps.

"My body is failing, so I have to rely on other strengths," he explains. "Communication is a skill that I've had to develop. So I try to exercise it the best I can, and to do what I can to try to make things a little better."

Ahlberg doesn't worry about whether or not people take him seriously because of his disability. Rather, his biggest concern is that he'll be politically typecast as a result of his wheelchair.

"I've had to start reminding people that just because I'm in a chair, doesn't mean I'm the ADA expert."

'Rocky Made Me Do It'

William "Big Bill" Rinaldi of Dunmore, Pa., who was recently elected to his sixth term as clerk of the Superior Court of Lackawanna County, was encouraged to get involved in public life by two prominent boxers — one real, one fictional.

Rocky Marciano told me to learn how to "walk in your mind." Bill Rinaldi

As a boy in the early 1950s, Rinaldi was introduced to then-world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. Rinaldi, now 56, was already using a wheelchair for mobility, as a result of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Marciano advised him to learn how to "walk in your mind."

Years later, Sylvester Stallone was nominated for an Oscar for his 1976 portrayal of boxer Rocky Balboa — a role that deeply affected movie buff Rinaldi.

"The summer 'Rocky' was released, I came out of the theater saying, well, I'm a teacher of government and I talk about effecting change and I tell my students to do that," Rinaldi recalls. "They tell me that I should be more of a participant in the process, so I thought maybe I'll run for tax collector. That's when I decided."

Rinaldi was unopposed in his 2001 re-election bid, partly because after 20-plus years in office he still feels great passion toward his responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of public documents his office handles each year. He also attributes his longevity in office to his community involvement outside of office.

"I think that I haven't really lost the popularity I once had because I still keep a very active community profile aside from politics," he explains. "I do a lot of things with arts and education, which is an entirely different population. These are people who are sophisticated enough to be voters, but they don't judge you just in the world of politics."

To complement his public service and community involvement, Rinaldi has also written a self-help book, called You Can If You Think You Can, published in 2001 by the Wellness Institute Inc. (See www.selfhelpbooks.com.)

Getting an Early Start

I've never thought of myself as handicapped, and never will. You're only as handicapped as you want to be. Robert Vincent

Robert Vincent of Erath, La., was just 10 years old when he first announced his intention to become governor.

"In 1987 my godmother ran for clerk of the court in [nearby] St. Mary Parish," he recalls. "Being involved in that election and campaigning for her really made me decide that's what I wanted to do with my life."

But since Louisiana law doesn't allow minors to run for public office, Vincent found other ways to serve, helping to found a museum and raising funds to build a new track at his local high school.

Then, at age 19, Vincent formally launched his political career by running for the Erath Board of Aldermen. Not only did he win the election — he was the leading vote-getter, thus entitling him to serve as mayor pro tem.

The campaign wasn't easy for Vincent, who is affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, even though Erath has a population of only 2,500.

"The problem that we faced was being able to walk the whole town," he explains. "My grandfather rented a golf cart for me, and I was able to ride to each house in the town, and go knock on the doors and meet with people."

Vincent, now 23, not only has had to overcome physical obstacles caused by his disability, he's also had to prove that he could be an effective leader despite his young age. This fall, Vincent will get his formal job evaluation from the Erath voters as he seeks election to another four-year term.

With his CMT progressing right along with his political career, Vincent doesn't expect this year's campaign to be any easier than the last.

"My legs have begun to not be as strong as they used to be," he reports. "But we're going to do whatever it takes to see everybody in town."

And while current Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster has nothing to worry about this year, he might do well to keep an eye on Robert Vincent. Because 13 years after he first declared his intent to move into the mansion that Foster currently occupies, Vincent's ambitions have remained the same.

"That's absolutely my lifelong ambition, to be governor," he says without hesitation. "I hope that one day the people of Louisiana see fit to allow me to serve in that capacity."

A Representative Democracy

"Involvement from people with all different perspectives is really what makes our country great and strong," says Assistant Arizona Attorney General Joe Mikitish of Phoenix.

We need solid people with a broad range of backgrounds representing us in government. Joe Mikitish

"We definitely need solid people with a broad range of backgrounds representing us in government, and people with disabilities have a real good understanding of what it is to live in and be part of our community," he continues. "They bring a unique perspective to our communities and to the human condition, that I think needs to be heard."

Mikitish recently returned to the attorney general's office, having resigned in 2000 to run for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. He lost his primary race by about 2 percent of the vote.

"It was an interesting process," says Mikitish, 35. "I was disappointed that I fell short, but at the same time I felt like I grew in the process and had a lot of benefits come out of it, just from the people I met and what I learned along the way."

Mikitish traces his interest in community activism and politics back to his elementary school days.

"It wasn't until Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] of 1975 that I was able to go to public school," recalls Mikitish, who is affected by spinal muscular atrophy. That was when he first learned "the importance of good people being involved in the process and being involved in public service."

Mikitish remains undaunted by the prospects of another campaign in the future.

"I enjoyed the process and just felt like it was something that fit pretty well for me," he explains. "I think growing up, being involved with MDA, being involved in the community and receiving a lot of benefits from community programs — I know the difference they can make."

Disability — a Hidden Strength?

Joe Mayo of Augusta, Maine, is currently in his 20th year with the Maine House of Representatives, first serving as an elected representative, then as clerk of the House. These days, he serves as clerk emeritus, a position created especially for him when he was forced to retire as clerk of the House due to the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Your word is all you've got. Never forget that. Joe Mayo

Even though Mayo can no longer speak — let alone walk — he was able to successfully advocate passage of a bill before the Maine Legislature to extend hospice services to families covered by both Medicaid and private insurance.

House Speaker Michael V. Saxl had this to say about his longtime friend and mentor, Joe Mayo:

"I talk to him every single day about where we are and where we're going. He continues to draft memos on how to address many different issues that we're facing, and invariably he's always correct. He continues to be a very active part of what we do here, even though his ability to speak and walk has changed greatly in the last two years."

In Mayo's opinion, there's one critical aspect of a human being that neuromuscular diseases can't affect: character. And the advice he offers is sound, whether or not you have a disability.

"Your word is all you've got. Never forget that."

Are You Qualified?

Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution spells out the requirements to hold our country's highest elected office with succinct simplicity:

"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States."

Note that the Constitution makes no mention of mobility, so why would it be an issue?

"Sometimes we get told — expressly or not — that this is something we ought not to be doing," Joe Mikitish says. "But I think that people should make the jump as soon as they feel confident that this is something they really want to do. Then they should go for it with all their heart and soul."

As far as Robert Vincent is concerned, people who believe he's not qualified for public office because of his age or his disability are just plain mistaken.

"I've never thought of myself as handicapped, and never will," he asserts. "You're only as handicapped as you want to be. I could give up right now and just lay down, but that's not the way I want to live my life.

"It would kill me if I had to stay in my house all day long and not be able to see people," he adds.

The consensus is clear: If you're interested in holding public office — run. The worst thing that can happen is that you lose the race and someone else gets the job. Surely they couldn't kick you out of the state for losing an election, could they?

"No, not even in Arizona," says Joe Mikitish, laughing ruefully.

To Bill Rinaldi, the real key is in your heart. The most important qualifications you can possess are your belief in yourself, and your willingness to persevere.

"In every campaign I've ever been in, if they didn't get a sense of my commitment, nobody would help fight that fight. And that's not only in politics," he adds. "I think that's true in life."