Rosemary Kennedy: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

Rosemary Kennedy was the eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. She was born on September 13, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Rosemary was a beautiful and intelligent child, but she was also developmentally disabled. Her parents tried to keep her condition a secret, but it eventually became public knowledge. In 1941, Rosemary underwent a lobotomy in an attempt to cure her disability. The lobotomy was unsuccessful and left Rosemary permanently disabled. She spent the rest of her life in institutions.

Rosemary's story is a tragic one, but it is also a reminder of the importance of accepting people with disabilities. Rosemary was a loving and kind person, and she deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. Her story should inspire us to be more compassionate and understanding towards people with disabilities.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

by Kate Clifford Larson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20544 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	333 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Rosemary's Early Life

Rosemary Kennedy was born into a wealthy and influential family. Her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., was a successful businessman and politician. Her mother, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, was a devout Catholic and a socialite. Rosemary had eight siblings, including future president John F. Kennedy and future senator Robert F. Kennedy.

Rosemary was a beautiful and intelligent child. She was also very athletic and enjoyed playing sports. However, Rosemary also had some developmental problems. She was slow to learn to talk and walk, and she had difficulty with reading and writing. Her parents tried to keep her condition a secret, but it eventually became public knowledge.

Rosemary's Lobotomy

In 1941, Rosemary underwent a lobotomy in an attempt to cure her developmental disabilities. The lobotomy was performed by Dr. Walter Freeman, a controversial neurosurgeon. The lobotomy was unsuccessful and left Rosemary permanently disabled. She lost the ability to speak, walk, and care for herself. She also became incontinent and had seizures.

Rosemary's lobotomy was a tragedy. It is a reminder of the dangers of experimental medical procedures. It is also a reminder of the importance of accepting people with disabilities.

Rosemary's Later Life

After her lobotomy, Rosemary spent the rest of her life in institutions. She was first sent to Craig House, a private psychiatric hospital in Beacon, New York. In 1949, she was transferred to St. Coletta School, a residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Rosemary lived at St. Coletta for the rest of her life. She received excellent care and was loved by the staff and residents. She enjoyed participating in activities such as music and art therapy. Rosemary died at St. Coletta on January 7, 2005.

Rosemary's Legacy

Rosemary Kennedy's story is a tragic one, but it is also a story of hope and inspiration. Rosemary was a loving and kind person, and she deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. Her story should inspire us to be more compassionate and understanding towards people with disabilities.

Rosemary's legacy lives on through the work of the Rosemary Kennedy Intellectual Disabilities Foundation. The foundation was founded in 1994 by Rosemary's siblings, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Jean Kennedy Smith. The foundation's mission is to provide support and services to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Rosemary Kennedy Intellectual Disabilities Foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. The foundation has provided funding for research, educational programs, and advocacy efforts. The foundation has also helped to raise awareness of intellectual disabilities and to promote acceptance of people with disabilities.

Rosemary Kennedy was a hidden figure for most of her life. However, her story is now being told. Rosemary's story is a reminder of the importance of accepting people with disabilities. It is also a story of hope and inspiration.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

by Kate Clifford Larson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20544 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	333 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE