Rosemary Kennedy was the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, and her family noticed something was off while she was growing up. During her toddler phase, she was behind her brothers in daily activities like crawling and speaking. She also was known to have multiple behavioral issues and had many temper tantrums. When she started going to school, it was obvious that she had some sort of intellectual difficulty that made her slower than the other students. By age 18, she was only at the intellectual level of a fourth grader while her brothers were excelling in all their classes. Even though she struggled with learning and performing daily tasks, she was still seen participating with her family and having a regular routine.
It all went downhill for Rosemary in November 1941 when her father, Joseph Kennedy, scheduled a lobotomy to be performed on her. For background information, a lobotomy is a surgical procedure done to people with medical illnesses to provide relief to the patient. Keep in mind, during this time period, these types of procedures were not common and they were still being worked on. Even though Mr. Kennedy knew about these risks, he still decided to go ahead with the procedure, without telling his wife. Unfortunately, the surgery was a failure and it ruined Rosemary’s ability to talk and walk. In addition to being mentally disabled, she was now physically disabled. The Kennedys decided to send her to Saint Coletta’s, a Catholic facility for the mentally disabled, and she was kept there for almost six decades.
During Rosemary’s first few years at Saint Coletta’s, she was kept away from her family to work on her treatments. But later, she was reunited with her family and developed a strong bond between her and her sister, Eunice. Eunice grew aware of her sister’s situation and decided to make a change about it. She started doing research and projects on intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the summer of 1962, Eunice started a backyard summer camp for children and adults with disabilities. This very summer camp would later turn into a global competition called Special Olympics. In addition to Eunice’s work, Rosemary’s other family members were doing their part to help people with disabilities. Her sister founded Very Special Arts, an art program designed for those with disabilities. Her brother, John F. Kennedy, helped many care programs and signed major legislations in regards to those with intellectual disabilities.
I think that Rosemary’s story helped thousands of people all around the world to become their best selves and live their best lives. I think that it was very wrong for her father to schedule such a complicated surgery for Rosemary without all of her family knowing about it. I understand that they did many different things to help her like special treatment and programs, but doing such a risky surgery without much experience was a disaster waiting to happen. Even though Rosemary had a difficult time, she still was able to live until the age 86 and she had a very fulfilling life. Rosemary is recognized all over the world and she has changed many lives during and after her lifetime.
Do you think Rosemary should or shouldn’t have gotten the procedure?
Was it right that her father made her get the surgery?
If you were in Rosemary’s place, would you want the surgery even if there was a high risk?
Rosemary Kennedy - The Eldest Kennedy Daughter
Replies
I don't think she should've, I don't think that her father should've made her do it because you should be able to make your own choices. I wouldn't want to if there was a high risk.
She shouldve gotten it. Yes. No.
I do not think she should have gotten the surgery necasue the risks were so high and there could have been so many things go wrong. It was not right for her father to get the surgery because she shouldve been able to do what she wanted.
I don't think that Rosemary should have had the procedure. It was very risky to begin with but the family did not know that it was happening. I think that the family should have had a say in what was going to happen. If I was in Rosemary's place I would not want to have the surgery unless I knew that it would most likely come out of the surgery, good.
I also think that it was very risky and that her whole family should have made the decision together.
I think that Rosemary should not have gotten the surgery because because of how high risk it was, and it was very wrong for her father to make her have the surgery done. I wouldn't want the surgery because there was very little chance of it going well.
I also agree that it was not right for only her dad to make that serious of a decision.
I personaly domt think that she should of done the procidure becuase of how high risk it is and the outcome. I do not think its rught or fair for her father to make her do the lobotmey becuase it affected her greatly after. I also do not personally think I would ever get one.
I don't think Rosemary should have gotten the procedure, because they should have know it would most likely turn out worse than before. If I was in Rosemary's place, I would not want the surgery. Also, I don't feel like Rosemary's dad had all the say in the surgery, Rosemary, her siblings, her mom, and her dad should have all made a decision together.
I agree that all of her family should have had a say in her surgery and that it shouldn't have been only up to her dad.
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