Rosemary Kennedy was just 23 when she was lobotomized.
The following story has been well documented in several books written about the Kennedys family. Those books include "The Kennedy Men 1901-1963" and by Jack El-Hai, a Minnesota journalist, and others.
Rosemary Kennedy was just 23 when she had her head cut open and part of her brain removed.
See, she wasn't as quick as the other children. She wasn't good at math, didn't like social situations. As an adult the Kennedy's had a barrage of tests to find out what whas wrong with Rosemary. She was diagnosed as mildly mentally retarded. They put her in a convent. She wrote letters to her siblings, in them she expressed sadness that her father did not accept her and that she had not been allowed to come home in years.
She started sneaking out at night and was reportedly seeing men.
This could not be allowed. The Kennedy had a public image. Rosemary was beginning to be an embarrasment.
Kathleen Kennedy, Rosemary's sister mentioned in passing one day, that as a journalist, she had been researching new procedures called lobotomies. Scientist's were hopeful these surgeries would someday help retarded people. Her mother looked hopeful, maybe this could help Rosemary. Kathleen quickly discouraged her mother. She told her family that the procedure would render Rosemary helpless, unable to care for herself.
All of the Kennedy girls were invited to be presented to Queen Elizabeth. Rosemary had attended almost none of the Kennedy's formal affairs. She had been kept hidden for years. Hoping she would not embarrass the family, the family had her practice walking and tried to tell her how she must act. When the big moment came for her to meet the Queen, Rosemary tripped on her dress, slightly, but managed an elegent curtsey. Everyone at the ball commented on what a good dancer she was. They said she was a sweet pretty girl.
A few days later, her father took Rosemary for a "check-up". He kept the "check up" secret from the rest of the family. It has been reported that she was totally awake as they cut away at her mind. She was the first "retarded person" ever to be lobotomized. Some people mark this event as the beginning of the Kennedy "curse".
Rosemary died today at age 86, her life was taken away when she was just 23.
Rosemary Kennedy was just 23 when she had her head cut open and part of her brain removed.
See, she wasn't as quick as the other children. She wasn't good at math, didn't like social situations. As an adult the Kennedy's had a barrage of tests to find out what whas wrong with Rosemary. She was diagnosed as mildly mentally retarded. They put her in a convent. She wrote letters to her siblings, in them she expressed sadness that her father did not accept her and that she had not been allowed to come home in years.
She started sneaking out at night and was reportedly seeing men.
This could not be allowed. The Kennedy had a public image. Rosemary was beginning to be an embarrasment.
Kathleen Kennedy, Rosemary's sister mentioned in passing one day, that as a journalist, she had been researching new procedures called lobotomies. Scientist's were hopeful these surgeries would someday help retarded people. Her mother looked hopeful, maybe this could help Rosemary. Kathleen quickly discouraged her mother. She told her family that the procedure would render Rosemary helpless, unable to care for herself.
All of the Kennedy girls were invited to be presented to Queen Elizabeth. Rosemary had attended almost none of the Kennedy's formal affairs. She had been kept hidden for years. Hoping she would not embarrass the family, the family had her practice walking and tried to tell her how she must act. When the big moment came for her to meet the Queen, Rosemary tripped on her dress, slightly, but managed an elegent curtsey. Everyone at the ball commented on what a good dancer she was. They said she was a sweet pretty girl.
A few days later, her father took Rosemary for a "check-up". He kept the "check up" secret from the rest of the family. It has been reported that she was totally awake as they cut away at her mind. She was the first "retarded person" ever to be lobotomized. Some people mark this event as the beginning of the Kennedy "curse".
Rosemary died today at age 86, her life was taken away when she was just 23.
posted by Ellie at 2:37 PM
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