Issue Contents: |  | Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Schumer, The hidden Kennedy sister
About the cover model:
Rosemary Kennedy was born on September 13, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts, as the third child of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. She was a sister to President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Rosemary's life was profoundly affected by the expectations of her prominent family and the era's limited understanding and treatment of mental health issues.
Early in her life, Rosemary displayed developmental challenges that became more pronounced as she reached her teenage years. These challenges included intellectual disabilities and mood swings. Despite these issues, she participated in social activities and attended several schools and educational institutions that catered to her needs.
In an attempt to control her mood swings and erratic behavior, which were becoming more of a concern as Rosemary reached her early 20s, her father sought a medical solution. In 1941, without fully understanding the potential consequences, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. authorized a prefrontal lobotomy for Rosemary when she was 23 years old. The procedure was experimental at the time and resulted in a disastrous outcome for Rosemary. It severely incapacitated her, leaving her with the mental capacity of a two-year-old child, unable to speak coherently or walk properly.
After the lobotomy, Rosemary lived in various institutions. She spent most of her life after the procedure at St. Coletta's School for Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wisconsin (now known as St. Coletta). Her condition and the circumstances surrounding her lobotomy were kept secret from the public for many years, partly because of the stigma associated with mental illness and disability at the time.
Rosemary's story had a profound impact on the Kennedy family, influencing their personal and professional lives. It inspired her siblings, particularly Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to become advocates for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Eunice founded the Special Olympics in 1968, an organization that has had a global impact on changing perceptions and improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Rosemary Kennedy passed away on January 7, 2005, at the age of 86. Her life and the lessons learned from the way she was treated have had a lasting impact on her family's legacy and on society's understanding of and approach to mental health and disability rights.
...................... | |