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| Cindy Bentley appears with fellow Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Henry Moretti at the premiere of the re-release of the movie "ET." |
Cynthia (Cindy) Bentley was born with a condition that was later diagnosed as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which resulted in her having both cerebral palsy and cognitive disability. She was abandoned as a baby and shuffled through foster care. In one home, Bentley suffered severe burns causing physical damage and painful scarring for which she required multiple surgeries. Later, she was placed in a center for individuals with developmental disabilities and lived there for many years.
Bentley began participating in Special Olympics while in the institution and credits the staff there with encouraging her to work hard to set, reach, and exceed her goals. The determination that Cindy developed while there, has helped her earn medals in basketball, track, speed skating, volleyball, football (soccer), softball and tennis.
In 1991, Bentley was selected as the U.S. Female Special Olympics Athlete of the Year. Serving as a role model for all athletes, Bentley was selected on the basis of her athletic performance, character, leadership and community involvement. At the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Bentley earned a silver medal in Singles Tennis and a 6th place finish in Women's Doubles.
Eighteen years ago, Bentley moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she made the transition from institutional life to a group home and finally, in 1987, to living independently in her own apartment. With a counselor's assistance, Bentley now does all her own housekeeping and manages her finances.
Since leaving the institution, she worked at the local Advocates for Retarded Citizens office, at a YMCA daycare facility caring for young children, at McDonald's, and was employed by Marshall Fields Department Stores. Cindy currently works for People First, an advocacy organization, and is an appointee to the Wisconsin Council for Developmental Disabilities.
As a former Board member for Special Olympics Wisconsin and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, Bentley brings the story of Special Olympics to many others around the world.
In 2001, Bentley testified to the US Senatorial Appropriations committee about poor healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. Later that year, while in attendance at an event at the White House, Bentley presented President George Bush with one of her own Special Olympics Gold Medals to honor him for his bravery during the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Bentley made her final appearance as a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger at the March 2002 Los Angeles premiere of the re-release of the movie "ET." Bentley walked the red carpet with stars including Drew Barrymore and Tony Danza.
In her current position as a self-advocacy specialist with People First, Bentley's major focus is on downsizing state institutions to move those with disabilities into their communities.
She continues her work, meeting six times per year in Madison, discussing services for people with disabilities. In addition to her position on the Council for Developmental Disabilities, Bentley was appointed by Wisconsin Governor James Doyle to a similar committee involving those with physical disabilities, offering her a new avenue of challenges to tackle.
“Some day when I’m old and can’t snowshoe or compete in sports anymore, I will continue coaching and volunteering to raise awareness till the end of earth for Special Olympics.” said Bentley.
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