The Kennedy Family and the History of Mental Retardation
Publisher: Temple University Press
Published: June 26, 2000
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 249
ISBN-13: 9781566397834
Subjects: Disability: social aspects; Social history; United States; People with mental disabilitie; History: American; United States - General; History; Politics / Current Events; Services for; USA; People with mental disabilities; Government - U.S. Government; Political History; United States - 20th Century; General; Mental health promotion; Mental retardation
Description: "Long a generous benefactor of MR-related organizations, Joseph P. Kennedy made MR the special charitable interest of the family foundation he set up in the 1950s. Although he gave all of his children official roles, he involved his daughter Eunice in performing its actual work - identifying appropriate recipients of awards and organizing the foundation's activities.

With unique access to family and foundation papers, Shorter brings to light the Kennedy family's strong commitment to public service, showing that Rose and Joe taught their children by precept and example that their wealth and status obligated them to perform good works. Their parents expected each of them to apply their considerable energies to making a difference.".

"Eunice Kennedy Shriver took up that charge and focused her organizational and rhetorical talents on putting MR on the federal policy agenda. As a sister of the President of the United States, she had access to the most powerful people in the country and drew their attention to the desperate situation of families affected by mental retardation. Her efforts made an enormous difference, resulting in unprecedented public attention to MR and new approaches to coordinating medical and social services.

Along with her husband, R. Sargent Shriver, she made the Special Olympics an international, annual event in order to encourage people with mental retardation to develop their skills and discover the joy of achievement. She emerges from these pages as a remarkable and dedicated advocate for people with developmental disabilities."--BOOK JACKET.