Exposure to the dreadful Spanish flu lowered his resistance, and he fell victim to rheumatoid arthritis, which locked his joints so that his body was contorted into the shape of his wheelchair.
Jäänud kohutavasse hispaania grippi, murdis see ta vastupanuvõime ning ta langes liigesereuma ohvriks, mis tegi ta liigesed nii jäigaks, et ta keha moondus asendisse, milline tal oli ratastoolis istudes.