Why was Almanzo wilder paralyzed?

Answer 1

Laura and Almanzo both came down with diphtheria at the same time. Laura's was rather mild, Almanzo's was severe. Contrary to doctor's orders, Almanzo forced himself out of bed to do chores, and woke up the next morning partially paralyzed. The doctors at that time attributed it to "getting up too soon". In all likelyhood, the exact opposite is probably true: Having had a bad case of diphtheria, he was probably flat in bed for ten days or more. That is an invitation for blood clots to form, and one probably caused a stroke when he finally did get up.

Answer 2

Almanzo Wilder was most likely paralyzed due to a combination of factors, including the effects of a stroke he suffered in 1894 and ongoing complications from diphtheria he contracted as a child. These health issues may have contributed to his paralysis later in life.