How a botched lobotomy on a member of the Kennedy family may have led to the creation of the Special Olympics

James PasleyAug 27, 2023, 20:25 IST

The Special Olympics flag is being risen in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, during the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Summer World Games Berlin 2023.Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Special Olympics was launched in 1968. The first event had 1,000 participants from 23 different states and Canada.
Eunice Shriver, the sister of John F. Kennedy, was one of the key forces to make it a worldwide phenomenon.

After the first-ever Special Olympics, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley said to Eunice Shriver, "Eunice, the world will never be the same after this."

That was what she had hoped for. Shriver (née Kennedy) had been pushing for acceptance and better treatment for the disabled for over a decade. She was one of the key parties behind the Special Olympics and would carry on campaigning for decades to come.

Shriver had also volunteered to host a summer camp in her home for local disabled children. In an era where some families kept their disabled relatives hidden away, Shriver saw how physical activity and being out in the open could help.

In 1941, Joseph P. Kennedy, the ambitious patriarch of the Kennedy family, made the decision that his 23-year-old daughter Rosemary would have a lobotomy.

Joseph and Rose Kennedy with their nine children in 1938.ullstein bild/Getty Images

The prefrontal lobotomy, which involved two holes being cut into her head as she lay awake on an operating table, left Rosemary permanently brain damaged. Her mental capacity regressed to that of a 2 year old.

Rosemary Kennedy and her father Joseph P. Kennedy.Bettmann/Getty Images

The prefrontal lobotomy, which involved two holes being cut into her head as she lay awake on an operating table, left Rosemary permanently brain damaged. Her mental capacity regressed to that of a 2 year old.

Shriver had always looked out for Rosemary.

Eunice and Rosemary Kennedy are pictured just before they sailed aboard the SS Manhattan.Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1957, Shriver took over running the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, which had been set up after her brother was killed in World War II.

Eunice Shriver talking to children.Reg Lancaster/Daily Express/Getty Images

In 1962, a local mother reached out to Shriver about her intellectually disabled child to ask for advice because no summer camp would take her child.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver swimming with children in a pool at a day camp for handicapped children.AP

Later that year, Shriver wrote about her sister Rosemary in the Saturday Evening Post in an article titled, "Hope for the Retarded." It was the first time Rosemary's condition was ever publicly acknowledged.

Eunice Shriver seen playing ball with a child in Paris.Liaison/Stringer/Getty Images

Later that year, Shriver wrote about her sister Rosemary in the Saturday Evening Post in an article titled, "Hope for the Retarded." It was the first time Rosemary's condition was ever publicly acknowledged.

Shriver hosted her camp again in the following summers. As it grew more popular, she looked to increase its scope.

Eunice Shriver and her son Robert playing football.Vic Casamento/ Washington Post/AP

Three years later, she met with a young teacher named Anne McGlone (later Anne Burke, a state Supreme Court justice), who asked for funding to host a Chicago-wide sports event for handicapped children.

Eunice Shriver and Ted Kennedy running in a fundraiser for the Kennedy Foundation.Bettmann/Getty Images

Three years later, she met with a young teacher named Anne McGlone (later Anne Burke, a state Supreme Court justice), who asked for funding to host a Chicago-wide sports event for handicapped children.

On July 20, 1968, the Special Olympics was launched. It was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, only a few weeks after Shriver's brother, Robert Kennedy, was assassinated.

Eunice Shriver marches behind banner carriers of the Maryland delegation during parade of the delegations at opening ceremonies of the International Special Olympics at Chicago's Soldier Field.Bettmann/Getty Images

On July 20, 1968, the Special Olympics was launched. It was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, only a few weeks after Shriver's brother, Robert Kennedy, was assassinated.

The first event had 1,000 participants from 23 different states and Canada. They competed in track and field events as well as swimming and hockey.

1960 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson lighting the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad in Los Angeles.AP

The stands only had a few hundred fans though. Back then, Shriver believed parents didn't comprehend it was OK to be proud of their kids.

Eunice Shriver along with Illinois lieutenant-Governor Paul Simon, watch the International Special Olympics in Chicago in 1970.Fred Jewell/AP

Afterward, Mayor Richard J. Daley of Chicago said to Shriver, "Eunice, the world will never be the same after this."

Eunice Shriver and Chicago's Mayor Richard J. Daley before the opening of 1970 Special International Olympics.Fred Jewell/AP

From then on, the Special Olympics was held every two years. The success of it helped change how people with disabilities were perceived.

Special Olympics Ambassador athlete Micheline Van Hees and athlete Jonathan Sacoor arrive with the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics in Belgium.John Thys/Belga Mag/AFP/Getty Images

Yet despite the success and the clear connection between her work and what had happened to her sister, Shriver continued to claim Rosemary had nothing to do with the Special Olympics.

Eunice Shriver is shown during a news conference.Bettmann/Getty Images

Yet despite the success and the clear connection between her work and what had happened to her sister, Shriver continued to claim Rosemary had nothing to do with the Special Olympics.

Regardless, the Special Olympics continued to grow. In 1977, it began to include the Winter Games, and in 1988, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized the Special Olympics.

A competitor is shown during the 1977 winter Special Olympics.Ernie Leyba/The Denver Post/Getty Images

Regardless, the Special Olympics continued to grow. In 1977, it began to include the Winter Games, and in 1988, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized the Special Olympics.

The organization later broadened into public health after athletes kept trying to compete while dealing with medical issues. In 1995, about 15% of the athletes had teeth or vision problems so acute they had to go to straight to the ER.

A competitor swims during the 1995 Special Olympics.Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images

The organization later broadened into public health after athletes kept trying to compete while dealing with medical issues. In 1995, about 15% of the athletes had teeth or vision problems so acute they had to go to straight to the ER.

In 2015, the Special Olympics in Los Angeles had crowds of more than 500,000 people.

Spectators watch the Special Olympics in Germany.Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Shriver died in 2009. In 2017, she was posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her work.

Eunice Shriver plays basketball with children with disabilities in New York.Marty Lederhandler/AP

"Anyone who knew my mother knew that she didn't just love to compete, she loved to win," Tim Shriver said.

Eunice Shriver playing a celebrity tennis match.AP

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How a botched lobotomy on a member of the Kennedy family may have led to the creation of the Special Olympics

In 1941, Joseph P. Kennedy, the ambitious patriarch of the Kennedy family, made the decision that his 23-year-old daughter Rosemary would have a lobotomy.

The prefrontal lobotomy, which involved two holes being cut into her head as she lay awake on an operating table, left Rosemary permanently brain damaged. Her mental capacity regressed to that of a 2 year old.

Shriver had always looked out for Rosemary.

In 1957, Shriver took over running the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, which had been set up after her brother was killed in World War II.

In 1962, a local mother reached out to Shriver about her intellectually disabled child to ask for advice because no summer camp would take her child.

Later that year, Shriver wrote about her sister Rosemary in the Saturday Evening Post in an article titled, "Hope for the Retarded." It was the first time Rosemary's condition was ever publicly acknowledged.

Shriver hosted her camp again in the following summers. As it grew more popular, she looked to increase its scope.

Three years later, she met with a young teacher named Anne McGlone (later Anne Burke, a state Supreme Court justice), who asked for funding to host a Chicago-wide sports event for handicapped children.

On July 20, 1968, the Special Olympics was launched. It was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, only a few weeks after Shriver's brother, Robert Kennedy, was assassinated.

The first event had 1,000 participants from 23 different states and Canada. They competed in track and field events as well as swimming and hockey.

The stands only had a few hundred fans though. Back then, Shriver believed parents didn't comprehend it was OK to be proud of their kids.

Afterward, Mayor Richard J. Daley of Chicago said to Shriver, "Eunice, the world will never be the same after this."

From then on, the Special Olympics was held every two years. The success of it helped change how people with disabilities were perceived.

Yet despite the success and the clear connection between her work and what had happened to her sister, Shriver continued to claim Rosemary had nothing to do with the Special Olympics.

Regardless, the Special Olympics continued to grow. In 1977, it began to include the Winter Games, and in 1988, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized the Special Olympics.

The organization later broadened into public health after athletes kept trying to compete while dealing with medical issues. In 1995, about 15% of the athletes had teeth or vision problems so acute they had to go to straight to the ER.

In 2015, the Special Olympics in Los Angeles had crowds of more than 500,000 people.

Shriver died in 2009. In 2017, she was posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her work.

"Anyone who knew my mother knew that she didn't just love to compete, she loved to win," Tim Shriver said.