Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a pioneer in a time when people with developmental disabilities were misunderstood or placed in institutions. People with developmental disabilities were often segregated from the general population in all aspects of their lives. This was personal to Eunice Shriver as her sister had mental retardation and spent most of her life in an institution. Mrs. Shriver took over the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and used it to advocate for and enhance the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.
With her leadership, many now well-known organizations were formed, including Special Olympics. This organization allows people with a variety of physical and/or mental disabilities to compete in an athletic competition, many for the first time in their lives. It allows them to become athletes and to participate in activities and sports individually or on a team.
During the first Special Olympics competition in 1968, there were around 1000 athletes competing. Today there are over 3 million Special Olympians that compete in a variety of sports year-round all around the world. Sports include swimming, track and field, basketball and softball.
The Special Olympics organization has allowed people with disabilities to be seen in a different light world-wide. No longer can they simply be viewed based on their disabilities, they are viewed on their abilities as well. Eunice Shriver was always able to recognize this even as others around her could not. Even before Special Olympics was founded, she was running camps for children with disabilities at her own home. Her commitment to others was life-long seemingly tireless. She was able to use her recognizable name, her connections and her money to further the cause.
Change has come slowly to people with disabilities. In 2009, children with disabilities can attend school with their peers and not be segregated to a “special school”. Adults with disabilities can live on their own in their own communities with or without support. People with the desire to work can obtain assistance from job coaches if needed and work alongside coworkers without disabilities. These are all definitely improvements, but there is still and always will be work to be done to change the overall way that people with disabilities are perceived.
Eunice Shriver passed away on August 11, 2009, but she can be assured that her legacy of advocacy and equality for everyone, with or without disabilities, will live on.
Special Olympics Creed
"Let me win; But if I cannot win; Let me be brave in the attempt."
 |
