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Eunice Kennedy Shriver has been a leader in the worldwide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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Eunice started her life's work in her own backyard, affectionally dubbed Camp Shriver, where the first of countless small miracles began to occur.
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Of the thousands of phrases and paragraphs that Eunice has said or written about people with intellectual disabilities, one resonates: "A salvaged life."
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In 1968, the first Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago, moving Mayor Richard Daley to predict, "The world will never be the same after this."
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Involving millions of athletes and hundreds of nations, Special Olympics has grown into the largest, most important sports movement in history.
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In 1984, President Reagan presented Eunice with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award for public service.
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"If you get to the head, you get to the heart." Eunice recruited the support of the world's most influential leaders for the Special Olympics movement.
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Born into a family that has come to symbolize service, Eunice and her husband Sargent Shriver have instilled that commitment in their own children.
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Sargent Shriver helped build peace by developing and implementing programs and policies structured to promote long-term, cumulative, peaceable change.
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The first Very Special Christmas album was released in 1987, supporting the Special Olympics. Raising over $55 million, more than any other benefit series.
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Eunice has attracted the support of many athletes, entertainers, and celebrities who act as public ambassadors for the Special Olympics movement.
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One of Eunice's greatest priorities has been to create a place of welcome for the families of athletes, and to strengthen family life through Special Olympics.
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Every interaction between Eunice and a Special Olympics athlete is meaningful, "Everything she has said the athletes to be, she is herself."
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Coaching is provided, striving to improve is implicit, competing your guts out during meets is expected.
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View All VideosWatch Videos
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Maria Shriver:
The Groundbreaking Camp Shriver -
NBC News Report:
Her efforts to help people with disabilities circles the globe. -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver:
Talks about the work yet to be done for people with intellectual disabilities -
Senator Ted Kennedy:
Recounts Eunice's very special connection with their sister Rosemary
Post Your Own Tribute | View All TributesRecent Tributes
She has done more good in a week than many people will achieve in a lifetime. Truly a great example of the best the human spirit,heart, and soul has to offer. We can all learn from her example. patrick | Posted on December 3, 2009
SHE A REAL SPECIAL LADY. AND IM GLAD SHE STARTED SPECIAL PLYMPICS . JEANIE MCCLENDON | Posted on November 5, 2009
Thank you very much Mrs. Shriver. Your a great lady. Im happy to be involved with special olympics. I really like reading and remembering the oath. Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt. Avital | Posted on November 4, 2009
Mrs. Shriver and her sister Rosemary were gifts from God. Together they improved the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. I will forever be thankful of that. Kristi Swanson | Posted on November 3, 2009
just to say rest in peace you deserve every minute of your rest the special olympic movement wont be the same god really us with a beliver and a great supporter Rest in Peace brian Arnelien | Posted on November 3, 2009
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an amazing woman. She changed the views that people had on mentally disabled people by creating the Special Olympics. We will all miss Mrs. Shriver greatly, and we thank her for all of her kindness and peace she gave the world. Isabel | Posted on November 1, 2009
You have set the bar to new heights and shown by clear example how much actions can speak louder than words, dear Eunice. You made the world great for so many others. Thank you for such a remarkable example. Steve | Posted on October 30, 2009
Mrs Kennedy Shriver: Thank you for making such a difference to the world. Your memory will live on in the work of Special Olympics. May your gentle soul rest in peace Amen. Mary Ryan Maher Mary Ryan Maher | Posted on October 23, 2009
My sister has a disability, and I would like to thank Mrs. Shriver for starting the movement towards the acceptance of people with disabilities in our world. Her perseverance is an inspiration to us all.Thank you, for paving the way for all of us. Katie Voss | Posted on October 22, 2009
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