"I have new heroes and they are the parents of persons with intellectual disabilities. They demanded that their children be treated like other children. They said, my children are of value. In 10 or 15 years, we are going to have millions of athletes in Special Olympics around the world and the parents are going to say to everybody, 'We won.'"       — Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Honorary Chair, Special Olympics Family members make the best Special Olympics ambassadors because they know first-hand the benefits and joys of being part of the movement. Learn more about Special Olympics Families:       • Family Leadership       • Global Family Leaders       • Family Support Network       • Young Athletes™ Families are the most powerful and valuable natural resource available to Special Olympics. Families serve Special Olympics by reaching out to new athletes, coaching, transporting, raising funds, officiating, chaperoning and training other volunteers. Family members* also make energetic and enthusiastic goodwill ambassadors because they know first-hand the benefits and joys of being part of Special Olympics. Special Olympics can provide those family members with a sense of pride in their athlete, a sense of accomplishment through sports, and the hope of an exciting and bright future for the individual as an athlete and citizen in any community. Additionally, Special Olympics can provide support and opportunities for sharing of challenges and accomplishments among family members. • Suzanne Thompson was chosen as the family representative to speak on behalf of families at the 2006 USA National Games Closing Ceremonies. With one day's notice, the mother of Special Olympics Illinois athlete Caitlin Cox crafted and delivered a powerful address to the crowd, electrifying the entire audience and receiving a standing ovation.       < Read Suzanne Thompson's speech > Special Olympics strives to involve families in activities and to encourage them to share in the joy that comes from such participation. At the national level, the Family Support Network provides a framework to support local programs involving families in the Special Olympics movement. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, center, with Global Family Leaders at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan; from left, Vojka Cakici, Hemant Goswami, Bao Meiqin, Shriver, Donna Willms, Tan Ruyan and Margaret Mbithi. Through Special Olympics, more than 2.5 million athletes — and their families (Read about some of our athletes and their families in the Meet our Families section) — are discovering that a bright future lies ahead. Special Olympics Families, funded through the generous contributions of Kim Samuel Johnson and the Samuel Family Foundation, brings your family a variety of ways you can become more supported, connected, honored and knowledgeable. • Remarks given by Vice Mayor Zhou (Shanghai) on 9 October 2007 at a Family Reception at World Games.       < Read Vice Mayor Zhou's remarks >         * A Special Olympics family member is a husband, wife, partner of an athlete, a blood/legal relative of the athlete, or an individual who serves as the athlete's legal guardian, foster parent or caregiver.