A long and sad read the book of horrible parenting. A story more well known in modern times, Rosemary Kennedy was a daughter of the famous Kennedy family known for leader and politicians- perhaps most famously American President John F Kennedy- a dynasty perhaps as close to royalty as modern America had. Rosemary was held inside her mother when she was born because the doctor was running late and the nieces didn’t want to deliver without a doctor there. The lack of oxygen is said to be the cause of her seizures and other issues. Sent away to religious school and ostensibly to quietly live out life in a convent to hide her disability, Rosemary was doing well until WW2 forced her to return home from Europe. At this point various stories come in- but at the core it was said that she was sneaking out to meet men and go to bars at night. Her father was looking to create a political dynasty and didn’t want her to potentially tarnish the name in scandal- so with what most accounts say was…
… little or no hesitation or concern, he sent her without consent to be lobotomized using brutal and barbaric pseudo science of the time. The procedure basically involves poking at the brain with metal tools while the patient sang songs or recited poems. They considered the operation a success when Rosemary stopped singing and could no longer speak.
She was never able to regain full mobility but eventually got some use of her arms back. She spent the rest of her life in an institution and her family stayed away to avoid drawing scandal. After her fathers stroke her mother came to see her some 20 years later and Rosemary began attacking her frantically but was unable to communicate otherwise.
Her father did get his legacy but he also watched JFK and 3 of his other children die and suffered from poor health in his final years. Rosemary lived until 2005 and her attack on her mother at least caused her mom to start supporting mental health to some degree.
Lobotomy is one of the most horrifying fates I can think of. I've heard of her story and especially was shocked by how the procedure was carried out. It struck me as they were discerning whether or not she was still a person.
She was never able to regain full mobility but eventually got some use of her arms back. She spent the rest of her life in an institution and her family stayed away to avoid drawing scandal. After her fathers stroke her mother came to see her some 20 years later and Rosemary began attacking her frantically but was unable to communicate otherwise.
Her father did get his legacy but he also watched JFK and 3 of his other children die and suffered from poor health in his final years. Rosemary lived until 2005 and her attack on her mother at least caused her mom to start supporting mental health to some degree.