Conversation

“The Kennedys played a central role in the history of normalizing and supporting disability in American life. As president, John F. Kennedy transformed the federal government’s approach to supporting people with intellectual disabilities. His sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded Special Olympics. U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy was a principal sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. All three were profoundly influenced by their sister Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability, and was forcibly institutionalized and lobotomized by their parents. They vowed to do better for future generations, and did. Today, Eunice’s children carry on the tradition: her son Timothy runs Special Olympics, her daughter Maria has been active in many campaigns related to disability and mental health, and her other son Anthony founded Best Buddies, which pairs typical kids and disabled kids to help them build friendships. It works.”

https://www.startribune.com/on-rfk-jr-vaccines-and-my-son-with-autism-and-down-syndrome/601196570