The scourge of polio hit with a deadly and paralyzing vengeance in the 40's. It attacked without warning and produced terrified victims and helpless families. Detroit was in desperate need of help.

What was lacking was a facility dedicated to providing rehabilitation medicine for both polio survivors and severely injured World War II veterans.

A single facility was needed to integrate services that would enable the disabled to return to their communities at the highest level of independence, not only physically, but psychologically, socially, and vocationally.