Rosemary Kennedy: The Hidden Daughter of the Kennedy Clan

In the annals of the Kennedy family, a story of tragedy and secrecy unfolds. Rosemary Kennedy, the third child and eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, lived a life marked by intellectual disabilities and a controversial lobotomy that left her incapacitated.

Early Life and Diagnosis

Rosemary Kennedy was born on September 13, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts. As an infant, she exhibited developmental delays and was later diagnosed with intellectual disability. Despite her parents' efforts to provide her with the best care, her condition proved persistent.

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

As Rosemary grew older, her behavior became increasingly challenging for the family. She struggled with aggression, impulsivity, and mood swings. In an attempt to control her symptoms, she was placed in a series of boarding schools and institutions.

Lobotomy and Its Aftermath

In 1941, at the age of 23, Rosemary Kennedy was subjected to a lobotomy, a controversial surgical procedure intended to alleviate her behavioral problems. The procedure was performed by Dr. Walter Freeman, a leading advocate of lobotomy at the time.

The lobotomy had devastating consequences for Rosemary. It left her with severe cognitive deficits, impaired motor skills, and incontinence. She was unable to speak or understand language, and her personality was irrevocably altered.

Institutionalization and Secrecy

Following the lobotomy, Rosemary was institutionalized at St. Coletta's School for Exceptional Children in Wisconsin. Her family kept her condition hidden from the public, fearing that it would damage the Kennedy name.

For decades, Rosemary's existence remained a closely guarded secret. She was rarely visited by family members, and her whereabouts were known only to a select few.

Discovery and Reform

In the 1980s, the truth about Rosemary Kennedy's lobotomy and institutionalization came to light. The revelation shocked the public and prompted a reevaluation of the history of lobotomy and the treatment of the mentally disabled.

Rosemary's story became a catalyst for reform in the field of mental health. It raised awareness of the dangers of lobotomy and led to stricter regulations on its use.

Legacy and Impact

The life of Rosemary Kennedy is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. It also sheds light on the stigma and discrimination that they have often endured.

Today, Rosemary's legacy continues to inspire advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities. Her story serves as a testament to the importance of compassion, acceptance, and the dignity of all individuals.

Rosemary Kennedy's life was a tragic one, marked by intellectual disability, a lobotomy that robbed her of her true self, and years of hidden institutionalization. Yet, her story has also served as a catalyst for change, raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities and leading to reforms in the field of mental health.

- alt="Rosemary Kennedy, daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy as a young girl, before her lobotomy" - alt="Dr. Walter Freeman, the surgeon who performed Rosemary Kennedy's lobotomy" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy in the 1960s, after her institutionalization at St. Coletta's School" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., in the 1930s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her sister, Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish, in the 1940s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, in the 1950s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her brother, John F. Kennedy, in the 1960s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her brother, Robert F. Kennedy, in the 1960s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her brother, Edward M. Kennedy, in the 1970s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, in the 1980s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her sister, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, in the 1990s" - alt="Rosemary Kennedy and her mother, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, in the 2000s"

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