The Bronzing of a True Champion The work of a great American woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who over the past half-century dedicated her life to righting the wrongs against people with intellectual disability around the world, finally got the honor she so well deserved. On 3 March 2008, the official name of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) part of the National Institutes of Health, one of the most respected institutions and its research program, was renamed in her honor. With the engraving of her name and the “bronzing” of her image, her work and lifetime accomplishments on behalf of those with intellectual disability was finally acknowledged and will be forever remembered. Dr. Antonia Novello, Commissioner of Health for the State of New York and former Surgeon General of the United States, moderated a panel on "Health Promotion for People with Intellectual Disabilities - It Can and Must Be Done" at the 2006 Special Olympics Research Symposium in Ames, Iowa. Shriver's work leading the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, an organization that has spawned and supported such critical programs as the Community of Caring, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Fellows Program, Best Buddies and Special Olympics, has contributed to the improvement in the lives of millions of individuals with intellectual disability and their families. Her contributions to the betterment, societal inclusion and saving of lives of people with intellectual disability across all continents of the world is indisputable and unsurpassed. Without Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the world would be a very different place for those with intellectual disability, and very likely less inclusive, less understanding and more uncaring. Although this honor bestowed on Shriver calls for joy and celebration and finally acknowledges the work of a true 21st century champion of human rights, the journey has not been easy. We must not forget and must constantly be reminded of the great hurdles that have plagued Shriver's work and the mission of Special Olympics. Throughout her lifetime she has fought for the inclusion of those with intellectual disability, utilizing sports as the vehicle for acceptance. Her work on behalf of those in need has made it possible for those with intellectual disability to gain societal respect, regain their dignity and improve their quality of life. The reality is that despite great successes in our society in moving beyond the injustice, stigma and discrimination against some groups, we still have miles to go regarding the stigma and discrimination of those living with intellectual disability. It was understood, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, that our nation no longer would accept discrimination against people based on the color of their skin, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, country of origin and/or any other discriminating characteristics. That was the intent of the law. In today's society, changing old beliefs and practices against certain groups has been much harder. For example, even though today, the “N word” is totally and unequivocally unacceptable in public discourse without public outcry and or societal condemnation, the “R word,” whether loudly spoken or silently implied when used to label those with intellectual disability as “retard,” is neither currently rejected nor publicly condemned. Special Olympics and millions of advocates around the world work every day to help expunge the “R word” from discourse, and drive the rejection of people with intellectual disability from the option list of acceptable behaviors. Until this rejection becomes the exception and not the norm, Shriver and the millions of athletes and families around the globe in Special Olympics will continue to fight for the inalienable rights of those ostracized by society for the sole reason of having intellectual disability. On 3 March 2008, by honoring and renaming the NICHD for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the silent names of millions of athletes and families of Special Olympics were honored and became an integral part of the “Bronze.” I am confident that when society finally accepts, includes, respects and does not reject those with intellectual disability, then and only then the name of Eunice Kennedy Shriver engraved in “bronze” will shine in all its splendor. Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. Former U.S. Surgeon General Former Deputy Director, NICHD Board Member, Special Olympics International   Return to Shriver-NICHD story