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by Eunice Kennedy Shriver
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Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver opens the first International Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 20 July 1968. |
I am asked frequently how Special Olympics was born. It really began in the late 1950s and early '60s, when I traveled through the United States to visit several institutions for people with intellectual disabilities. The conditions in those days were terrible. There was no special education, no physical activity and certainly no opportunity to play sports. My visits left an indelible mark for life–I knew I had found an area of enormous need where I could focus my life's work and energy.
I had played sports all my life. I loved sports and appreciated the rewards of participating in sports. I knew in my heart that the thousands of people I had seen in institutions doing nothing could do sports, if given the opportunity. And I knew they'd enjoy it!
In 1958, I received phone calls from two separate parents who told me they could not get their children into summer camps. The children had intellectual disabilities and were not welcome. Spurred by those calls, I started a camp – Camp Shriver, we called it – in my own yard, for 75 children. My children were involved in helping with the activities and recruiting volunteers.
From the first day, it was clear that the campers could play sports and benefit from them. It was also clear that providing non-disabled young people with the opportunity to interact with these campers – to walk, play and talk with them – opened their eyes and taught them to accept them and welcome them. As our campers experienced the joy of sports, everyone shared in the fun.
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Shriver works with campers during warmups at Camp Shriver, which provided an opportunity for children with intellectual disabilities to take part in a sports summer camp, and provided other young people a chance (often the first) to interact with people with intellectual disabilities. |
Soon, there were five more camps around the country and, by 1968, 40 camps nationwide. We began recruiting professional athletes and physical educators to raise the quality of our programs, and established coaching standards. (I still believe today that qualified coaches are the backbone of a successful local Special Olympics program.)
These camps helped form the nucleus that led to Special Olympics. In 1968, we held the first Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in Chicago. I remember Mayor Daley leaning over to me after I declared the Games open, and whispering in my ear, “Eunice, the world will never be the same.” He was right.
Forty years later, a large part of the world sees people with intellectual disabilities as people who can learn, perform, contribute and change our lives for the better. I think Special Olympics has played a strong role in leading that change, and I think we will continue to play a leadership role in opening the eyes and hearts of the rest of the world.
Am I surprised at how far we've come from those early days? I'm not surprised at how well people with intellectual disabilities have done in sports, or how much they have to give other people and their communities.
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Shriver takes part in a Young Athletes demonstration in Shanghai, China. China is now the largest Special Olympics Program in the world, with more than 700,000 athletes. |
As I watched last year's World Summer Games unfold in Shanghai, China, I had one thought: I was so impressed by parents. They give more love and courage to their children than anyone. They are role models for all of us who are trying to be more hopeful and compassionate to all.
We have much to do, and we must look to the challenges ahead. But it is not a bad idea to stop here on our 40th anniversary and say thank you to those whose love and energy brought hope to people like those I saw neglected and alone in those institutions all those years ago. There are still people living such a life throughout the world. With the same passion and commitment that has brought us this far, we will bring them their share of hope and dignity in the years to come.
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