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Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver was honored by Lions Clubs International with the 2007 Lions Humanitarian Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the service club organization. Shriver received the award before a crowd of more than 15,000 Lions and their families who traveled from around the world to Chicago from 2-6 of July for the 90th Lions Clubs International Convention. The Lions Humanitarian Award includes a US$200,000 grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation for continuing humanitarian activities. Shriver joins former U. S. President Jimmy Carter and Mother Teresa with this honor.
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Special Olympics Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver (center) receives a special Stetson hat from Lions Clubs International President Jimmy Ross from Texas (right) while Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and International Global Messenger (Class of 2000-2002) Cindy Bentley (left) cheers him on. Shriver was honored by Lions Clubs International with the 2007 Lions Humanitarian Award for his work educating the world about health care disparities among individuals with intellectual disabilities at the 90th Lions Clubs International Convention in Chicago on 3 July. (Photo: Courtesy of Lions Clubs International). |
“We've had a long working relationship with Dr. Shriver and Special Olympics,” said Lions Clubs International President Jimmy M. Ross. “Dr. Shriver has helped transform Special Olympics into a movement that focuses on acceptance, inclusion and respect for individuals with intellectual disabilities in all corners of the globe. We are proud to present him with our highest honor-Lions International Humanitarian Award.”
Shriver has led the charge in educating the world about health care disparities among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Under his leadership, initiatives, such as the Healthy Athletes® program, have been developed to enhance the quality of life for millions of people with intellectual disabilities, including the more than 2.5 million Special Olympics athletes and their families in more than 160 countries. He is also a charter member of the Washington, D.C. Special Olympics Lions Club.
Since 2001, Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International have partnered to improve vision care for Special Olympics athletes worldwide through the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® program. At Opening Eyes events, Special Olympics athletes receive free vision and eye health tests, refractions, prescription eyeglasses and protective sports eyewear, as well as referrals for follow-up care. Opening Eyes also educates vision specialists on how to best treat the intellectual disability population. More than 100,000 athletes have been screened through the Opening Eyes partnership, with prescription eyewear provided to more than 44,000 athletes.
“Thousands of Special Olympics athletes' lives have been transformed through the Opening Eyes program, including an athlete who went on to win a gold medal in a track competition because he could finally see the finish line,” said Shriver. “I am honored to receive this award on behalf of Special Olympics and our Healthy Athletes initiative which continues to be a catalyst for change. Together with Lions Clubs International, we are showing how a strong social partnership makes a sustainable impact on the global, underserved intellectual disability population.” |
