Eunice Kennedy
Shriver
1921-2009
With the passing of our
founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver today, a singular, vibrant and fiercely burning
flame has been extinguished. The sadness that we all share today with her
passing however must be overshadowed by the millions of flames she ignited all
over the world during her amazingly productive life. Those are not just the
flames that continue to burn within the more than 3 million Special Olympic
athletes currently around the globe, but also in the hearts and minds of world
leaders, heads of state and luminaries who for more than four decades, she
educated and influenced to understand the inherent value and worth of
individuals among us who are differently abled.
The flame burns in the
millions of families across our state and across the globe, which because of her
indomitable spirit; saw their sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, aunts,
uncles and cousins given the opportunity to achieve and experience success and
acceptance, not just on the playing fields of Special Olympics but in all facets
of life - from schools to health care and to the work place. Because of Mrs.
Shriver, people with Intellectual Disabilities have come out of the darkness and
are ever more present as accepted, contributing members of our communities and
society.
The flame continues to
burn within the millions of volunteers around the globe whose lives have been
changed forever because they accepted Mrs. Shriver's invitation to come join in
her quest through sports for inclusion, dignity and acceptance for all people
with Intellectual Disabilities. I am one of those whose life has been forever
changed because of Mrs. Shriver's vision, passion, spirit and life's
work.
Mrs. Shriver has said
that her legacy is her family - children and grandchildren, of whom she was so
justifiably proud. I respectfully would add that her legacy lives in all she
touched, you and me, and the millions whose lives have been improved because of
who she was and how she lived. That singular, vibrant and burning flame will
not go out but will continue to illuminate the path for all of us to
follow.
I'm sharing a communication that I received this morning from Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Inc. It can be found at: http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/articles/article/172
http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/
Neal J.
Johnson
President &
CEO
Special Olympics New
York
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