As every kid knows, you learn best when you're having fun. No one understood this better than Eunice Shriver who founded the Special Olympics in 1962 as a summer camp in her back yard. She had just been appointed to the first Presidential Committee on Intellectual Disabilities.
Looking back, it seems so obvious. Shriver created a program that enables athletes with disabilities to compete in a supportive and challenging environment. She gave participants an opportunity to achieve their personal best with their families and friends cheering them on. Equally importantly, Shriver gave the wider world an opportunity to see this often-misunderstood community at its best.
As the leader of an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities--and a former tennis and basketball Special Olympics coach--I know firsthand how important the games can be in the lives of people with disabilities. At The Arc of San Francisco, we always know it's Special Olympics award season when our bowlers and basketball players make the rounds of our offices wearing their medals and beaming with pride.
Shriver worked with The Arc of the US and California throughout the last 6 years to thwart budget cuts affecting our clients. I had the opportunity to discuss employment with her, and she emphasized that the largest barrier is people's attitude toward people with disabilities, not the disability! Although we will deeply miss this visionary leader, I am comforted knowing that the powerful idea she championed--that people with disabilities have "earned the right to play on any playing field,"--will continue to shape our ideas about abilities, disabilities and each other all over the world.
--Tim Hornbecker
(Tim Hornbecker is Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of San Francisco.)
PHOTO: Patti gets last minute bowling tips from her coach Reggie.
3 comments:
Eunice Shriver was a champion of the people. The world is sad to see her pass.
-Supporter of the Special Olympics
Her motivation for providing a better life for people with disabilities is inspiration to all sisters, mothers, family members, friends and colleagues of people with disabilities. The commentators are even praising her as starting the ground work for the passing of the ADA. A powerful women!!
My family enjoyed watching my sister and her friends over the years as she bowled and walked.
My sister Mary helped on the field.
A warm and friendly environment for athletes!
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