Op-ed: Tribute to Rosemary Kennedy
August 12th, 2009Rosemary Kennedy was inspiration for Eunice
Boston Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham says Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s accomplishments were inspired by the life of her older sister. Rosemary Kennedy was born with mild developmental disabilities, and was sent to an institution when a lobotomy in 1941 left her incapacitated.
The family kept silent about Rosemary for the next two decades, until Eunice wrote an article about her in the Saturday Evening Post in 1962. The piece argued that people with intellectual disabilities have value and deserve respect, and that they should be integrated into society and be given opportunities for work and education.
… Eunice was never comfortable accepting credit for her achievements, which rival those of her brothers. Even at a tribute to her in 2007, the woman who many allowed might have been president if only she’d been born a man tried to pass the praise along — to Rosemary.
“I am lucky that I experienced the sting of rejection as a woman who was told that the real power was not for me,” she said at the JFK Library and Museum. “I am lucky that I saw . . . Rosemary treated with the most unbearable rejection.
“It’s really that simple,” said Rosemary’s sister. “Love gave me confidence and adversity gave me purpose.”
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August 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I remember when I was younger reading books on the Kennedy family and being especially interested in Rosemary and what she had gone through. I didn’t know then that I would have a child who would have the same difficulties that Rosemary had while she was growing up.
I remember reading one particular story about Rosemary, this was shortly before her tragic lobotomy. During a family gathering she had an explosive outburst in which she became violent. From what I had read these episodes were happening more often as she entered her early twenties and was becoming increasingly frustrated with her limitations.
This story has been with me as I have raised my daughter. I have watched her frustration over the years, at times her frustration has led to such outbursts. The most important goal in raising Amber was to build her self esteem and to have her in situations where she could utilize her strengths, and to help her learn how to get herself through the inevitable moments in life when one becomes overwhelmed.
Were it not for Eunice Shriver’s dedication to help others like Rosemary and showing the world that those with developmental disabilities should not be shut away, we would not have the resources that are available today.
We now have dedicated teachers who will begin to teach our children when they are small how to shine in their own light. We now have dedicated individuals in agencies who will help our children when they are adults to live their lives to the fullest.
We now, as a society, no longer shut our children away to languish in institutions, we can now cheer them on during events like the Special Olympics. Or in my case, I can cheer one child on as I watch her become independent, and in the back of my mind remember the story of Rosemary Kennedy and know what could have been if we had not been blessed with the dedication of Eunice Shriver.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I think she was indeed lucky, her energy didn’t get wasted on power politics–it was channeled into truly world-changing and lifegiving work. I hope her work and accomplishments inspire a new generation of fiercely dedicated, clear-thinking, compassionate workers for justice and opportunity for people with disabilities. I know she inspires me!