Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Faithful Service

I'm glad that Mrs. Shriver was able to touch so many lives. Including helping yours, My brother has downs along with me having 22q and I think it would have been hard on either of us if one or both of us was sent somewhere, because the family couldn't handle it or was worried about being shamed, I'm lucky that I had such caring parents, even today there are those out there who have no regards for people who have anytype of gentic disorder, even people in my own family on both sides, but my parents have stuck threw all these years, I'm 30 soon 31 and my brother just turned 22. Sure things are hard at times especially now my wife just got diagnosed with nf, and she's 29 Neurofibromatosis, a tumor/nerve condition, now it's regular screenings of mri's and even kemo I think a lot more awareness out there needs to be done to help people and families understand what it's like living and having genetic disorders especially when they aren't diagnosed until later in life. I plan to do a lot of riding next year(bike) and hiking- so I'll be training pretty big this winter. I only wish that I had had a chance to meet her, only because the special olympics is a huge part of our lives and gives a pretty decent foundation for that awareness and for the kids involved including the volenteers I volenteer and my brother participates, I think it has been huge what she was able to accomplish and I would have said thank you so much. If was able to meet her.

I was very sad to hear about her death and it really made me think...what would the world be like today if she had not been such a strong advocate for people having disabilities?  Imagine the world without the Special Olympics for example.

The world has changed so much in how we regard those with disabilities but there is still much room for growth. 

I am reminded of this fact when I am out and about with my son who has autism.  We were in a supermarket line waiting when my son decided to sing all the refrains of "Old McDonald had a farm."  He is now a young teen so I suppose it looked out of place in addition to his periodic squeals and hops.  A woman in line yelled at us, "Why isn't he in an institution?"  I was in shock and then I was angry.  It showed me that the stigma of having a disability still lingers to this day. 

But the efforts of people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver...make it possible for me to keep my son at home...to parent him...to love him...and to integrate him into the community and society the best way I can.  Despite what others may say I am proud of my son. 

I think it is up to us to keep her legacy alive by ensuring the rights of people with disabilites to live a good and happy life within mainstream society.   

Thank you for sharing about Quinn and his achievements.  He is an inspiration to all!