Posted on 03/31/2005 7:50:42 AM PST by SmithL
BOSTON - The neighbor who found Joan Bennett Kennedy lying on a sidewalk this week said she had no idea the woman she helped was a member of one of America's best-known families.
Kennedy, 68, the former wife of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, was recovering Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital after suffering a concussion and broken shoulder.
It remained unclear exactly what happened to Kennedy, who has battled alcoholism for years. There was an ambulance call record but no police report on the incident and family members have declined to give any details.
Constance Bacon, 35, who lives in the affluent neighborhood where Kennedy has a condominium, said she was returning home Monday evening when she saw a well-dressed woman sprawled on the sidewalk in the rain. There was a cut on her head.
"She said she was OK, but she didn't look OK," Bacon told The Boston Globe. There was no indication Kennedy had been drinking, Bacon said.
Bacon helped her to her feet, called Emergency Medical Services and held her umbrella over Kennedy until an ambulance arrived five minutes later. Bacon said she didn't know who Kennedy was until a television crew came to her home Wednesday.
Kennedy's son Rep. Patrick Kennedy earlier told the Boston Herald his mother was taken to the hospital at 3 a.m. Tuesday, but EMS records show an ambulance was dispatched at 5:20 p.m. Monday, around when Bacon recalled finding Kennedy. The congressman's office did not immediately return a phone call Thursday seeking comment on the discrepancy.
Kennedy was awaiting shoulder surgery, according to close friend Stephanie Warburg.
Kennedy, who splits her time between a home on Cape Cod and the Back Bay condo, has been through several rehabilitation programs following a series of arrests for drunken driving.
Her three children - Kara Kennedy Allen, 45, Edward M. Kennedy, Jr., 44, and Patrick Kennedy, 37 - recently took temporary guardianship of their mother to ensure she receives alcoholism treatment. Patrick Kennedy is also seeking to become her permanent legal guardian.
Patrick Kennedy, who represents a district in Rhode Island, announced Wednesday that he has decided not to run for Senate in 2006. His announcement did not mention his family responsibilities as a reason for his decision. But he expressed gratitude for an "outpouring of support for my mother" and asked for privacy.
Sen. Kennedy said Wednesday he's proud of his children for their loyalty to his ex-wife, adding, "this had been a sad time." The couple divorced in 1982.
She should consider herself lucky she never drowned.
Maybe she was hit by a drunk driver. Where was Teddy at when this happened?
And Tedeschi's Liquor Mart...
- In his statement to police, Ted Kennedy claimed that after escaping from his submerged automobile, he "repeatedly dove down to the car in an attempt to see if the passenger was still in the car."
- At the inquest, the Senator elaborated on his story. "I was fully aware that I was doing everything that I possibly could to get the girl out of the car. And that my head was throbbing and my neck was aching and I was breathless, and at the time, hopelessly exhausted." When he abandoned his rescue attempt, he let himself float to shore. "And I sort of crawled and staggered up some place and was very exhausted and spent on the grass." He said he rested there on the banking for 15 to 20 minutes.
Beginning with his first statement to police ( view statement ) Kennedy has always maintained that he delayed reporting the accident to authorities because he was "confused and in shock" after the accident. The Senator's statements regarding his rescue attempts suggest that in fact he was quite aware that Miss Kopechne's life was in peril and that immediate action was in order.
1:00 AM - Kennedy testified that after he regained his breath, "I started walking, trotting, jogging, stumbling as fast as I possibly could. It was extremely dark," he said, and "I never saw a cottage with a light on." Kennedy said he walked back to the Lawrence Cottage in "approximately 15 minutes."
Seems like father, like son, timelines are difficult.
Joan Kennedy is not responsible for her ex-husband's escapades, nor those of any of the other Kennedys.
i'd drink, too, if I had that legacy to live.
Poor Joan
Just keep Teddy away from her.
Wouldn't it be more humane to merely starve this poor woman to death rather than allow her to live such an undignified life?
Thank you.
Nice to see a kind heart on FR. Too little of that of late.
This incident has been posted about before, and it is always amazing how many people will pop up to make snarky comments.
Proof that even the dimmest bulbs shed a little light.
and I appreciate your humble reply, as well.
All the Kennedy women have suffered at the hands of the Kennedy men - Rose Kennedy who had to put up with her husband Joe, Jackie O who had to put up with Jack, Joan....
And all the Kennedy men - if those with last names not Kennedy, i.e. Smith, are/were immoral, deceitful liers. The women have suffered at the hands of these men.
ytedk.com
Jackie was also supportive of Joan when she divorced Ted.
I'd never let my daughter date a Kennedy.
ping
Come on with those kinds of remarks. Cant' you just let that kind of thing go for heaven's sakes? It doeesn't add anything to this thread. I'm sorry...I just feel sad for Joan Kennedy. I rememember her during those times. She wa beautiful but you could see she was miserable inside. She is another victim of that sad, pitiful family.
I don't know if it would be more humane, but she would certainly be peaceful and euphoric.
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