Rosemary Kennedy

Rosemary Kennedy
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Name	Rosemary Kennedy
Birth date	September 13, 1918
Birth place	Brookline, Massachusetts
Death date	January 7, 2005
Death place	Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Parents	Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy

Rosemary Kennedy was the eldest sister of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, and daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy. She was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and her family later moved to Riverdale, New York, and then to London, where her father served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Rosemary's life was marked by her struggles with intellectual disability and her family's efforts to support her, including her mother's involvement with the National Association for Retarded Children and her father's connections with Harvard University and Stanford University. Her family's experiences and relationships with prominent figures, such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, also played a significant role in shaping her life.

Early Life

Rosemary Kennedy spent her early years in Brookline, Massachusetts, and later moved to Riverdale, New York, with her family, where she attended Riverdale Country School. Her family's wealth and social status, courtesy of her father's success as a Wall Street financier and his appointment as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, provided her with access to the best educational institutions, including Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan. Rosemary's relationships with her siblings, including Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, were also an important part of her early life, as they often spent time together at the family's summer home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The family's connections to prominent figures, such as Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. and Jean Kennedy Smith, also influenced Rosemary's early life and experiences.

Health Issues

Rosemary Kennedy's health issues became apparent at a young age, and she was diagnosed with intellectual disability, which was then referred to as mental retardation. Her condition was likely caused by a lack of oxygen during childbirth, which resulted in brain damage. Her family sought treatment from various medical professionals, including psychiatrists and neurologists at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital. Rosemary's condition was also influenced by her family's experiences with other medical conditions, such as Addison's disease, which affected her brother John F. Kennedy. The family's connections to prominent medical institutions, such as Boston Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, also played a role in Rosemary's treatment and care.

Education and Treatment

Rosemary Kennedy's education and treatment were tailored to her specific needs, with a focus on special education and occupational therapy. She attended special schools, including the Devereux Foundation in Pennsylvania, and received treatment from psychologists and therapists at Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania. Her family's connections to prominent educational institutions, such as Harvard University and Stanford University, also influenced her education and treatment. Rosemary's relationships with her caregivers, including nurses and social workers from Catholic Charities and American Red Cross, were also an important part of her life. The family's experiences with other organizations, such as the National Institute of Mental Health and American Psychiatric Association, also shaped Rosemary's education and treatment.

Later Life and Death

In her later years, Rosemary Kennedy lived in a nursing home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, where she received long-term care and rehabilitation services. Her family, including her siblings John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, remained involved in her life and care, with her sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver playing a particularly active role. Rosemary's relationships with her caregivers and the staff at the nursing home, including doctors and nurses from University of Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, were also important to her well-being. The family's connections to prominent figures, such as Pope John XXIII and Lyndon B. Johnson, also influenced Rosemary's later life and care. Rosemary Kennedy passed away on January 7, 2005, at the age of 86, surrounded by her family and caregivers from Aurora Health Care and Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Family and Legacy

Rosemary Kennedy's family played a significant role in her life, with her parents Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy being particularly devoted to her care. Her siblings, including John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, also remained close to her throughout their lives, with Eunice Kennedy Shriver being a strong advocate for disability rights and special education. The family's experiences and relationships with prominent figures, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, also shaped Rosemary's life and legacy. Today, Rosemary Kennedy's legacy continues to inspire advocacy efforts for people with disabilities, with her family's foundation, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, remaining committed to supporting disability research and special education initiatives at Harvard University and Stanford University. The family's connections to prominent organizations, such as the National Organization on Disability and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, also continue to influence Rosemary's legacy and the lives of people with disabilities. Category:Kennedy family