Who was Eunice Kennedy Shriver?
She was the sister of John F. Kennedy and the mother of Maria
Shriver, who is the first lady of California.
Eunice Shriver started the Special Olympics because of her
sister, who was developmentally disabled. When Eunice and her
siblings were young, it was customary to keep such family members
out of public view, because of a mistaken sense of shame. I believe
this was the edict of their father, Joseph Kennedy.
When Maria's father passed away, the rest of the family included
their sister in family activities until she was older and not in
good physical health.
Eunice especially wanted for all people with developmental
disabilities to have the experiences of other children, to try to
encourage them to do their best, and to increase their self-esteem.
She worked tirelessly with her husband, Sargent Shriver, her
daughter Maria, and all the extended Kennedy clan.
She has made a huge difference in the lives of these people.
Special Olympics continues to grow, and I'm sure her daughter,
Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, will continue, with the rest of the
family, to carry on her mother's good work.