RoseMary Kennedy Regan Eaches

Birth Spanish influenza was making it's way around the world. Dramatic Entrance into the world September 23, 1918

Parents Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.

History Rose's ideas were being challenged In August 1920, 19th amendment gave woman the right to vote. Women demanded more rights Change in attitudes

More on Rosemary's Mom Struggled under all the pressures Moved in with her parents for a short time Devoted her life to her children

The Eartly Years Slight delays in development When enrolled in Kindergarten it was evident she was lagged behind Special education could not be offered to Rosemary at this time Kindergarten teachers refused to bump her up to first grade

Struggles in School continued... Repeated Kindergarten At age 9 she was in second grade Riverdale Country School Taught at home

Vocabulary at this time Idiots Imbeciles Morons Rose was considered a Moron and mentally defective Institutionalization  Roman Catholic Church judgmental

Boarding School Sent to boarding school at age of 11 It was a very difficult transition for Rosie Rose was sent to Devereux's School in fall of 1929

A bit more History Great stock market crash Recession and depression Kennedy's remained financially stable

Rosemary's Siblings Joe Jr., JFK, Rosie, Kick, Eunice, Pat, Bobby, Jean and Teddy.

Education is always priority Elmhurst Fall of 1934 Rosie enrolled in another school Became more social and had a best friend Rosie received extra psychiatric care Fall of 1936 enrolled in Miss Hourigan's Residence School in Manhattan

Camp and EUROPE!! Went to camp Went to Europe with sisters After the summer was sent to Sacred Heart Convent

Move and hospital visit Moved due to Joe's new position  Ambassador to the Court of Saint James in Britain Rosie had  mysterious hospital stay during this time

Convent of the Assumption Mother Isabel Montessori Program was good fit for Rosie Moved on to Belmont House Became a safe haven Ripped from this environment due to German attacks

Home Again Difficult adjustment Matured physically but immature emotionally and intellectually Rose was very attractive  The struggle to find a place for Rosie

Decline in RoseMary During her time at Benedictine Convent she regressed. Sneaking out Found in streets in middle of night

The Lobotomy Joe began to look into a Lobotomy for Rosie Asked Rose about it who then asked Kick (Rosie's sister) From the information Kick received Rose and Kick felt it was not a good idea

Joe's Secret Without family knowing Joe had Rosie receive the lobotomy Rosie trusted her Daddy Changed her life forever

The Hidden Kennedy The family knew very little of what happened After hospital stay was transferred to a private psychiatric facility Rosemary's state was a public relations problem for the Kennedy family Moved to Jefferson Wisconsin

Doing Good JFK funded programs for disabled Eunice – Special Olympics Later Eunice's son took over as CEO of Special Olympics

The End of Rosie's Days After 20 yrs. Rose eventually went to see Rosemary Began to attend family vacations in the 70's. Spent her last days in a cottage surrounded by staff who cared for her. Died in 2005

Discussion Questions Atter hearing the story of Rosemary Kennedy, what do you think her diagnosis would be today?  What might Rosemary's life looked like had she not received the lobotomy?  Do you think the Kennedy's would have been as successful in the political world if they had not hidden Rosemary's problems from the public?