The health care debate today makes one wonder if politicians can transform attitudes.The Kennedy Family is one of America's foremost political families, but it may have been the sister of JFK, Bobby and Teddy that had the most influence on changing attitudes in a way that transcends politics. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, has passed away.
No one paid attention to people with intellectual disabilities before EKS began her mission that became a movement to bring joy, dignity and empowerment to people with intellectual disabilities. Before she pushed her brother JFK to start the Presidential Commission on Mental Retardation, the word "retard" was a commonplace pejorative.
EKS helped us change our attitudes about what's possible. The Special Olympics needed government support. Today it is a worldwide movement that brings joy, dignity and empowerment to people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics chronicles EKS life with tributes here: //www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/
And while some political pundits raised the question of who will be the most influential Kennedy, in light of cancer-striken Senator Ted Kennedy's career fight for universal health care, one should not forget the mission Eunice Kennedy Shriver accomplished over a life that transcended politics and transformed American attitudes.
1 comment:
Always sad to hear about the death of a reformer. Our school's Spec Ed program was positively impacted by her work: a friend of mine in Oak Park complained that our Spec Ed team beat theirs at something or other. Rest in Peace.
Also -
Wasn't Sergeant Shriver a VP on George McGovern's presidential ticket? Did his marriage to a Kennedy occur before or after his candidacy? If before, it might be connected to his activity in a Democratic presidential campaign.
Post a Comment