Research"Those of us who have seen children live in the shadow know that a country as rich as ours can't possibly justify this neglect."
~President John F. Kennedy
Coming from a family of political power, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was no stranger to creating change. The Kennedy’s had a powerful voice in the fight for equality for the intellectually disabled. They founded the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation in 1946, which supports people in need, including the intellectually disabled.
"Seek the prevention of intellectual disabilities by identifying its causes, and to improve the means by which society deals with citizens who have intellectual disabilities."
~Purpose of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, Courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Museum
"She was labeled an individual with IQ between 60 and 70. In 1941, when Rosemary was 23, doctors told her father that a new neurosurgical procedure, lobotomy, would help calm her mood swings and sometimes-violent outbursts."
~Leadership in the History of the Developmental Disabilities Movement
One of their main inspirations was their sister, Rosemary Kennedy. Her condition was unknown, but she struggled with keeping up with her other siblings and often had violent mood swings.
"Eunice Kennedy Shriver had a particularly close relationship with her older sister, and great empathy for Rosemary and others who faced similar challenges...Eunice Shriver said in her eulogy that Rosemary had left a legacy that was long and deep."
~John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
A young Rosemary Kennedy before her lobotomy.
Courtesy of people.com
An older Rosemary after her lobotomy with Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Courtesy of Democratic Underground
"It was said, in an earlier age, that the mind of a man is a far country which can neither be approached nor explored. But, today, under present conditions of scientific achievement, it will be possible for a nation as rich in human and material resources as ours to make the remote reaches of the mind accessible. The mentally ill and the mentally retarded need no longer be alien to our affections or beyond the help of our communities."
~John F. Kennedy during Landmark Legislation signing celebration.
John F. Kennedy also dedicated most of his presidency to revolutionizing the treatment and society’s perception of the Intellectually Disabled. He founded a panel of medical experts, created research facilities, and passed multiple acts which aided in the future care of the Intellectually Disabled.
John F. Kennedy having a meeting on intellectual disabilities.
Courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
"President Kennedy announced his intention to appoint 'a panel of outstanding scientists, doctors, and others to prescribe a plan of action in the field of mental retardation.' He added, 'The central problems of cause and prevention remain unsolved, and I believe that we as a country, in association with scientists all over the world, should make a comprehensive attack.'"
~John F. Kennedy Press Conference on October 11, 1961
Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendments of 1963
Courtesy of Finance Senate Government
Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendments of 1963
Courtesy of DocsTeach
Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendments of 1963
Courtesy of DocsTeach