Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy : NPR

<!doctype html><html class="no-js" lang="en"><head> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/consent/82089dfe-410c-4e1b-a7f9-698174b62a86/OtAutoBlock.js" ></script> <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="82089dfe-410c-4e1b-a7f9-698174b62a86" ></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { NPR_OptanonWrapper = true; document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('npr:DataConsentAvailable')); OneTrust.OnConsentChanged(function() { document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('npr:DataConsentChanged')); }); } </script>  <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/opt-out/otCCPAiab.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" ccpa-opt-out-ids="C0004" ccpa-opt-out-geo="us" ccpa-opt-out-lspa="false"></script><script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004"> document.cookie = "__adblocker=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT; path=/"; var setNptTechAdblockerCookie = function(adblocker) { var d = new Date(); d.setTime(d.getTime() + 60 * 5 * 1000); document.cookie = "__adblocker=" + (adblocker ? "true" : "false") + "; expires=" + d.toUTCString() + "; path=/"; }; var script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("async", true); script.setAttribute("src", "//www.npttech.com/advertising.js"); script.setAttribute("onerror", "setNptTechAdblockerCookie(true);"); document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script); </script><script type='text/javascript'> !function(a9,a,p,s,t,A,g){if(a[a9])return;function q(c,r){a[a9]._Q.push([c,r])}a[a9]={init:function(){q("i",arguments)},fetchBids:function(){q("f",arguments)},setDisplayBids:function(){},targetingKeys:function(){return[]},_Q:[]};A=p.createElement(s);A.async=!0;A.src=t;g=p.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];g.parentNode.insertBefore(A,g)}("apstag",window,document,"script","//c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js"); </script><script> (function (e, o, n, i) { if (!e) { e = e || {}, window.permutive = e, e.q = []; var t = function () { return ([1e7] + -1e3 + -4e3 + -8e3 + -1e11).replace(/[018]/g, function (e) { return (e ^ (window.crypto || window.msCrypto).getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(1))[0] & 15 >> e / 4).toString(16) }) }; e.config = i || {}, e.config.apiKey = o, e.config.workspaceId = n, e.config.environment = e.config.environment || "production", (window.crypto || window.msCrypto) && (e.config.viewId = t()); for (var g = ["addon", "identify", "track", "trigger", "query", "segment", "segments", "ready", "on", "once", "user", "consent"], r = 0; r < g.length; r++) { var w = g[r]; e[w] = function (o) { return function () { var n = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 0); e.q.push({functionName: o, arguments: n}) }; }(w); } } })(window.permutive, "12730e07-f09d-4a69-93da-99b43983b663", "e1cef1f0-495f-4973-ba1c-880786e73a66", {"consentRequired": true}); </script>  <script>dataLayer = [];</script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.setAttributeNode(d.createAttribute('data-ot-ignore'));j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer', 'GTM-MVD397M');</script>  <script> try {var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime();} catch(e){} </script> <meta itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/SpeakableSpecification" itemref="speakable" /><title>Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy : NPR</title><meta id="speakable" itemprop="cssSelector" content="[data-is-speakable]" /><meta id="google-site-verification" name="google-site-verification" content="1VqzbDm4ukeFVHOoq5LjIKA2fVKZD-EYv8cXZhKXSfU" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><meta name="robots" content="noarchive,index,follow,max-image-preview:none" /><meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=324906251, app-argument=https://www.npr.org/2007/04/05/9136962/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy" /><meta name="Rating" content="General" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" /><meta name="npr-pjax" /><meta name="date" content="2007-04-05" /><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.npr.org/2007/04/05/9136962/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy" /><meta name="description" content="At 85, Eunice Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, is still working tirelessly to open opportunities to people with mental retardation. In 40 years, the games have grown to reach 2.25 million people in 160 countries." /><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="National" href="https://feeds.npr.org/1003/rss.xml" /><meta name="cXenseParse:pageclass" content="article" /><meta name="cXenseParse:publishtime" content="2007-04-05T08:56:00-04:00" /><meta name="cXenseParse:author" content="Joseph Shapiro" /><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon-180x180.png" /><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon.ico" /><link rel="icon" sizes="96x96" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon-96x96.png" /><link rel="icon" sizes="48x48" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon-48x48.png" /><link rel="icon" sizes="32x32" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon-32x32.png" /><link rel="icon" sizes="16x16" href="https://media.npr.org/chrome/favicon/favicon-16x16.png" /><meta property="og:title" content="Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy" /><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.npr.org/2007/04/05/9136962/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy" /><meta property="og:type" content="article" /><meta property="og:description" content="At 85, Eunice Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, is still working tirelessly to open opportunities to people with mental retardation. In 40 years, the games have grown to reach 2.25 million people in 160 countries." /><meta property="og:image" content="https://media.npr.org/include/images/facebook-default-wide-s1400-c100.jpg" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="NPR" /><meta property="fb:app_id" content="138837436154588" /><meta property="fb:pages" content="10643211755" /><meta property="article:content_tier" content="free" /><meta property="article:opinion" content="false" /><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /><meta name="twitter:title" content="Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy" /><meta name="twitter:site" content="@NPR" /><meta name="twitter:domain" content="npr.org" /><script id="npr-vars"> window.NPR = window.NPR || {}; NPR.ServerConstants = {"cbHost":"npr.org","webHost":"https:\/\/www.npr.org","geolocationHost":"https:\/\/www.npr.org","legacyWebHost":"https:\/\/legacy.npr.org","stripeServiceHost":"https:\/\/stripe.npr.org","recaptchaV3SiteKey":"6LcdN9IZAAAAAOHT985BJjbzjkBjKSxdxK3GeKSt","placesApiKey":"AIzaSyB_wzlXPVwS4kHRAZsM6scMzUAIsJ6aMZ4","embedHost":"https:\/\/www.npr.org","webHostSecure":"https:\/\/secure.npr.org","identityHost":"https:\/\/identity.api.npr.org","apiHost":"https:\/\/api.npr.org","stationApiHost":"https:\/\/station.api.npr.org","environment":"prod","serverMediaCache":"https:\/\/media.npr.org","googleAnalyticsAccount":"UA-5828686-4","gtmKey":"GTM-MVD397M","nielsenSFCode":"dcr","nielsenAPN":"NPR-dcr","shouldShowHPLocalContent":true,"cookieDomain":".npr.org","organizationV4Host":"https:\/\/organization.api.npr.org","staticAssetsHost":"https:\/\/static-assets.npr.org"}; NPR.serverVars = {"storyId":"9136962","storyCategory":"National News","isHiring":true,"facebookAppId":"138837436154588","webpackPublicPath":"https:\/\/bundles.npr.org\/dist\/bundles\/","persistenceVersion":"85c23553b431159e5f3eda61faae8c6a","isBuildOut":true,"pageLayoutName":"NewsStoryLayout","topicIds":["P1003","1001","1066","1128"],"primaryTopic":"National","topics":["National","News","Your Health","Health"],"theme":"1003","programId":"Morning Edition","program":"3","aggIds":["3","1001","1003","1066","1090","1128","2101159","13117647"],"byline":["Joseph Shapiro"],"contentPartnerOrgFullName":"1 | NPR","pubDate":"2007040508","fullPubDate":"Thu, 05 Apr 2007 08:56:00 -0400","pageTypeId":"1","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver\u0026#039;s Olympic Legacy","publisherOrgId":"1"}; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/11107397707.js"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://static-assets.npr.org/static/javascript/lib/modernizr/modernizr.custom.js"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://static-assets.npr.org/static/javascript/lib/svg-loader.min.js"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" async src="https://js.stripe.com/v3/"> </script> <script> !function(e){function r(r){for(var a,o,d=r[0],f=r[1],b=r[2],i=0,l=[];i<d.length;i++)o=d[i],Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(n,o)&&n[o]&&l.push(n[o][0]),n[o]=0;for(a in f)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(f,a)&&(e[a]=f[a]);for(u&&u(r);l.length;)l.shift()();return c.push.apply(c,b||[]),t()}function t(){for(var e,r=0;r<c.length;r++){for(var t=c[r],a=!0,d=1;d<t.length;d++){var f=t[d];0!==n[f]&&(a=!1)}a&&(c.splice(r--,1),e=o(o.s=t[0]))}return e}var a={},n={0:0},c=[];function o(r){if(a[r])return a[r].exports;var t=a[r]={i:r,l:!1,exports:{}};return e[r].call(t.exports,t,t.exports,o),t.l=!0,t.exports}o.e=function(e){var r=[],t=n[e];if(0!==t)if(t)r.push(t[2]);else{var a=new Promise((function(r,a){t=n[e]=[r,a]}));r.push(t[2]=a);var c,d=document.createElement("script");d.charset="utf-8",d.timeout=120,o.nc&&d.setAttribute("nonce",o.nc),d.src=function(e){return o.p+""+e+"."+{1:"2897476d879988d199b8",2:"7fdf0b2fa0960e0c8678",3:"d04bf44779f45958d36c",4:"6d608ea0d06f1dbc8291",5:"fd1e105cd45d1de6cd50",6:"0055c74c6b74fc1e3ccd",7:"7f4a650e8459eb95ad03",8:"8a68e2fc13de73782b0a",9:"ab23b02a2072fb62bdf2",10:"4bae9166c0c4ec078c8b",11:"d6a2d06a7dd875c62820",75:"b42c3ccefbee2f452e6f",76:"3403bd81e81292270c62",77:"a299ae7c961d5a5c28d6",78:"172347a64c1bc229407e",79:"ea2c3fabfc800cfd8bda",80:"1f2ce3d125d576158617",81:"7c009faa0c9552c9efe4",82:"52e8a74e34903bc4d404",83:"a0a414ca21e536cce9a1",84:"7e9621f36a6c709609c8",85:"29cfa968b0f47019d598",86:"88cb827feb372e78f4d9",87:"88fa32e2b2bf50248e76",88:"8ecd446b6f8c6509304d",89:"f961bb96859ae59bb0be",90:"bf846b3ac540ce82f72b",91:"4dbcd23d6d1ad314891a",92:"8e18edb9b4a8f1fbe65c",93:"e25a9736d41b56439f63",94:"847596ae62c5566dd9db",95:"d4a4b278b74b9ee007c4",96:"d611747ed07532a8a7a3",97:"cb01234ed14da73a9712",98:"051ce4efdaae4a983dca",99:"be78b1b3e2b4a48cb509",100:"ee86df63a274a12e1b29",101:"5670802b1517f013eb36",102:"62d15deac62d543f5928"}[e]+".chunk.js"}(e);var f=new Error;c=function(r){d.onerror=d.onload=null,clearTimeout(b);var t=n[e];if(0!==t){if(t){var a=r&&("load"===r.type?"missing":r.type),c=r&&r.target&&r.target.src;f.message="Loading chunk "+e+" failed.\n("+a+": "+c+")",f.name="ChunkLoadError",f.type=a,f.request=c,t[1](f)}n[e]=void 0}};var b=setTimeout((function(){c({type:"timeout",target:d})}),12e4);d.onerror=d.onload=c,document.head.appendChild(d)}return Promise.all(r)},o.m=e,o.c=a,o.d=function(e,r,t){o.o(e,r)||Object.defineProperty(e,r,{enumerable:!0,get:t})},o.r=function(e){"undefined"!=typeof Symbol&&Symbol.toStringTag&&Object.defineProperty(e,Symbol.toStringTag,{value:"Module"}),Object.defineProperty(e,"__esModule",{value:!0})},o.t=function(e,r){if(1&r&&(e=o(e)),8&r)return e;if(4&r&&"object"==typeof e&&e&&e.__esModule)return e;var t=Object.create(null);if(o.r(t),Object.defineProperty(t,"default",{enumerable:!0,value:e}),2&r&&"string"!=typeof e)for(var a in e)o.d(t,a,function(r){return e[r]}.bind(null,a));return t},o.n=function(e){var r=e&&e.__esModule?function(){return e.default}:function(){return e};return o.d(r,"a",r),r},o.o=function(e,r){return Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(e,r)},o.p="/dist/bundles/",o.oe=function(e){throw console.error(e),e};var d=window.webpackJsonp=window.webpackJsonp||[],f=d.push.bind(d);d.push=r,d=d.slice();for(var b=0;b<d.length;b++)r(d[b]);var u=f;t()}([]); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/34.9887afec5d7621c5642b.chunk.js"> </script> <link rel="stylesheet" data-persist="true" media="screen, print" href="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/persistent-css-6e28247c60f463a13c62.css" /><link rel="stylesheet" data-persist="true" media="screen and (min-width: 768px)" href="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/persistent_medium-css-6e28247c60f463a13c62.css" /><link rel="stylesheet" data-persist="true" media="screen and (min-width: 1025px)" href="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/persistent_large-css-6e28247c60f463a13c62.css" /><link rel="preload" data-persist="true" media="screen, print" href="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/fonts-css-6e28247c60f463a13c62.css" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet'" /><link rel="stylesheet" media="screen, print" href="https://bundles.npr.org/dist/bundles/newsStory-css-6e28247c60f463a13c62.css" /><script type="application/ld+json"> {"@type":"NewsArticle","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NPR","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/chrome\/npr-logo-2025.jpg"}},"headline":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2007\/04\/05\/9136962\/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy"},"datePublished":"2007-04-05T08:56:00-04:00","dateModified":"2007-04-05T08:56:00-04:00","author":{"@type":"Person","name":["Joseph Shapiro"]},"description":"At 85, Eunice Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, is still working tirelessly to open opportunities to people with mental retardation. In 40 years, the games have grown to reach 2.25 million people in 160 countries.","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/shriver75-14a326a49b06a965cc12fbbb850551708a7ff868.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/programs\/morning\/features\/2007\/mar\/shriver\/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/assets\/bakertaylor\/covers\/t\/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation\/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg"}],"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org"} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> document.domain="www.npr.org"; </script> <script id="piano-aid" type="text/javascript" data-piano-aid="9ENxKQ58pu"> (function(src) { var a = document.createElement("script"); a.type = "text/javascript"; a.async = true; a.src = src; var b = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; b.parentNode.insertBefore(a, b) })("//cdn.piano.io/api/tinypass.min.js"); window.pdl = window.pdl || {}; window.pdl.requireConsent = true; tp = window.tp || []; tp.push(["init", function() { tp.enableGACrossDomainLinking(); }]); </script> <script>!function(e){var n="https://s.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if("False"=="True")e.BOOMR_config=e.BOOMR_config||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams=e.BOOMR_config.PageParams||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams.pci=!0,n="https://s2.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if(window.BOOMR_API_key="MBVDT-3L9KY-36ZMJ-SPSAR-JR833",function(){function e(){if(!o){var e=document.createElement("script");e.id="boomr-scr-as",e.src=window.BOOMR.url,e.async=!0,i.parentNode.appendChild(e),o=!0}}function t(e){o=!0;var n,t,a,r,d=document,O=window;if(window.BOOMR.snippetMethod=e?"if":"i",t=function(e,n){var t=d.createElement("script");t.id=n||"boomr-if-as",t.src=window.BOOMR.url,BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),e=e||d.body,e.appendChild(t)},!window.addEventListener&&window.attachEvent&&navigator.userAgent.match(/MSIE [67]\./))return window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="s",void t(i.parentNode,"boomr-async");a=document.createElement("IFRAME"),a.src="about:blank",a.title="",a.role="presentation",a.loading="eager",r=(a.frameElement||a).style,r.width=0,r.height=0,r.border=0,r.display="none",i.parentNode.appendChild(a);try{O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}catch(_){n=document.domain,a.src="javascript:var d=document.open();d.domain='"+n+"';void(0);",O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}if(n)d._boomrl=function(){this.domain=n,t()},d.write("<bo"+"dy onload='document._boomrl();'>");else if(O._boomrl=function(){t()},O.addEventListener)O.addEventListener("load",O._boomrl,!1);else if(O.attachEvent)O.attachEvent("onload",O._boomrl);d.close()}function a(e){window.BOOMR_onload=e&&e.timeStamp||(new Date).getTime()}if(!window.BOOMR||!window.BOOMR.version&&!window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted){window.BOOMR=window.BOOMR||{},window.BOOMR.snippetStart=(new Date).getTime(),window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted=!0,window.BOOMR.snippetVersion=12,window.BOOMR.url=n+"MBVDT-3L9KY-36ZMJ-SPSAR-JR833";var i=document.currentScript||document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o=!1,r=document.createElement("link");if(r.relList&&"function"==typeof r.relList.supports&&r.relList.supports("preload")&&"as"in r)window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="p",r.href=window.BOOMR.url,r.rel="preload",r.as="script",r.addEventListener("load",e),r.addEventListener("error",function(){t(!0)}),setTimeout(function(){if(!o)t(!0)},3e3),BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),i.parentNode.appendChild(r);else t(!1);if(window.addEventListener)window.addEventListener("load",a,!1);else if(window.attachEvent)window.attachEvent("onload",a)}}(),"".length>0)if(e&&"performance"in e&&e.performance&&"function"==typeof e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize)e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize();!function(){if(BOOMR=e.BOOMR||{},BOOMR.plugins=BOOMR.plugins||{},!BOOMR.plugins.AK){var n=""=="true"?1:0,t="",a="bdpnbeqxeaoqsz56xmna-f-6e18d5f5d-clientnsv4-s.akamaihd.net",i="false"=="true"?2:1,o={"ak.v":"39","ak.cp":"55818","ak.ai":parseInt("290690",10),"ak.ol":"0","ak.cr":0,"ak.ipv":4,"ak.proto":"http/1.1","ak.rid":"2d08fcfc","ak.r":24408,"ak.a2":n,"ak.m":"dsca","ak.n":"essl","ak.bpcip":"8.222.208.0","ak.cport":48224,"ak.gh":"96.17.180.21","ak.quicv":"","ak.tlsv":"tls1.2","ak.0rtt":"","ak.0rtt.ed":"","ak.csrc":"-","ak.acc":"bbr","ak.t":"1740552986","ak.ak":"hOBiQwZUYzCg5VSAfCLimQ==85t8GJIiMaieLXS9pzxZwpYadStBC7LcIu8bkjyqSKvBzeyMoK2jtDrvFRMTmwDoEfg999RRQ9kVIWKEbwt5MlI0f43u+Yk6InNNu4dQ0AmU8rYWQGoPriyR3OK96KL4sK6Kq6p3gyvztU1ip4o0mzwNWnqZgrOU7bOMvI7/nFAVvL58thzcrikTajgWfiJYzz0AZh3B5dn8ndgzEX07E6VqI6mQntpAcs72QfsiarIyCjWYi5cSjd6rjvt7BxM/IPWuDARUn771eMuzUcGt3XS1JOypMMtuBzyQvgSFT31a2jbrr3qZr9gbFEt2v/rg5noop17KeMivljnefoi4aO3daNonyD1+pntmFEAuNtb8dLSDmGnPPqw0PJMMCXEPFOis2xNjI8RSSDl4fjDW/1FAsZdX4lT6kUC5ZNZj2UE=","ak.pv":"99","ak.dpoabenc":"","ak.tf":i};if(""!==t)o["ak.ruds"]=t;var r={i:!1,av:function(n){var t="http.initiator";if(n&&(!n[t]||"spa_hard"===n[t]))o["ak.feo"]=void 0!==e.aFeoApplied?1:0,BOOMR.addVar(o)},rv:function(){var e=["ak.bpcip","ak.cport","ak.cr","ak.csrc","ak.gh","ak.ipv","ak.m","ak.n","ak.ol","ak.proto","ak.quicv","ak.tlsv","ak.0rtt","ak.0rtt.ed","ak.r","ak.acc","ak.t","ak.tf"];BOOMR.removeVar(e)}};BOOMR.plugins.AK={akVars:o,akDNSPreFetchDomain:a,init:function(){if(!r.i){var e=BOOMR.subscribe;e("before_beacon",r.av,null,null),e("onbeacon",r.rv,null,null),r.i=!0}return this},is_complete:function(){return!0}}}}()}(window);</script></head><body id="news" class="news tmplNewsStory story-layout is-buildout no-transcript has-no-branding id9136962 " data-pjax-modules="util/env images/lazy-load data-consent data-management-platform header-bidding metrics nielsen nielsenDCR copyright auto-refresh navigation/global-navigation fitvids googletag dfp globalfooter persistent-audio player/more-options player/audio-module-clickable what-input metrics/doubleclickFloodlight callout/on-page-callouts global-alerts we-are-hiring piano rum ecommerce recommendations/end-of-story-recommendations-callout jw social/share slideshow images/enlargement contentfooter story/date-tooltip social/sharepop podcast-cards search/faceting-param local/newsletter/callout recaptcha-v3">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MVD397M" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <div class="skip-links"> <span>Accessibility links</span> <ul> <li><a href="#mainContent" class="skiplink">Skip to main content</a></li> <li><a href="https://help.npr.org/contact/s/article?name=what-are-the-keyboard-shortcuts-for-using-the-npr-org-audio-player" class="skiplink">Keyboard shortcuts for audio player</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="global-header-sticky-cta-wrap" class="global-header-sticky-cta-wrap"> <div id="global-header-sticky-cta-mount" class="global-header-sticky-cta-mount"> </div> </div> <div id="global-header-cta-wrap" class="global-header-cta-wrap"> <div id="global-header-cta-mount" class="global-header-cta-mount"> </div> </div> <header class="npr-header" id="globalheader" aria-label="NPR header"> <nav class="navigation"> <div class="navigation__top-level-wrap" data-metrics-category-ga4="recirculation"> <ul class="navigation__top-level"> <li class="navigation__toggle-wrap"> <button id="navigation__toggle--open" class="navigation__toggle navigation__toggle--open" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"open navigation menu","clickType":"global navigation"}'> Open Navigation Menu </button> </li> <li class="navigation__home"> <a href="/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"npr logo","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"\/"}'> <img src="https://static-assets.npr.org/chrome_svg/npr-logo-2025.svg" alt="NPR logo"/> </a> </li> <li id="navigation__station-mount"></li> <li class="navigation__newsletters"> <div class="navigation__newsletters-inner"> <a href="/newsletters/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"newsletters","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/newsletters/"}' target='_blank'>Newsletters</a> </div> </li> <li id="user-account-dropdown-mount" class="navigation__account"></li> <li class="navigation__shop"> <a href="https://shopnpr.org" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"npr shop","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"https://shopnpr.org"}'>NPR Shop</a> </li> <li id="navigation__station-donate-mount"></li> </ul> </div> <section id="main-menu" class="menu menu--main" data-metrics-category-ga4="recirculation"> <div class="menu__inner"> <header class="menu__header"> <button id="navigation__toggle--close" class="navigation__toggle navigation__toggle--close" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="true" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"close navigation menu","clickType":"global navigation"}'> Close <span>Navigation Menu</span> </button> </header> <ul class="menu__list"> <li class="menu__item menu__item--home"> <div class="menu__item-inner"><a href="/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"npr logo","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"\/"}'>Home</a></div> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--news menu__item--has-submenu"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/sections/news/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"news","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/news/"}'>News</a> <button class="menu__toggle-submenu" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"toggle news drawer","clickType":"global navigation"}'>Expand/collapse submenu for News</button> </div> <ul class="submenu submenu--news"> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/national/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"national","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/national/"}'>National</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/world/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"world","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/world/"}'>World</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/politics/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"politics","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/politics/"}'>Politics</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/business/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"business","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/business/"}'>Business</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/health/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"health","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/health/"}'>Health</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/science/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"science","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/science/"}'>Science</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/climate/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"climate","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/climate/"}'>Climate</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/codeswitch/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"race","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/codeswitch/"}'>Race</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--culture menu__item--has-submenu"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/sections/culture/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"culture","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/culture/"}'>Culture</a> <button class="menu__toggle-submenu" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"toggle culture drawer","clickType":"global navigation"}'>Expand/collapse submenu for Culture</button> </div> <ul class="submenu submenu--culture"> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/books/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"books","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/books/"}'>Books</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/movies/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"movies","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/movies/"}'>Movies</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/television/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"television","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/television/"}'>Television</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/pop-culture/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"pop culture","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/pop-culture/"}'>Pop Culture</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/food/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"food","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/food/"}'>Food</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/art-design/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"art & design","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/art-design/"}'>Art & Design</a> </li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/performing-arts/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"performing arts","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/performing-arts/"}'>Performing Arts</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/lifekit/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"life kit","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/lifekit/"}'>Life Kit</a></li> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/sections/gaming/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"gaming","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/sections/gaming/"}'>Gaming</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--music menu__item--has-submenu"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/music/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"music","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/music/"}'>Music</a> <button class="menu__toggle-submenu" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"toggle music drawer","clickType":"global navigation"}'>Expand/collapse submenu for Music</button> </div> <ul class="submenu submenu--music"><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-34685/best-music-of-2024" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"best music of 2024","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-34685\/best-music-of-2024"}' > Best Music of 2024 </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"all songs considered","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/allsongs\/"}' > All Songs Considered </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts/" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"tiny desk","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/tiny-desk-concerts\/"}' > Tiny Desk </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/music-features" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"music features","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/music-features"}' > Music Features </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/770565791/npr-music-live-sessions" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"live sessions","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/770565791\/npr-music-live-sessions"}' > Live Sessions </a> </li></ul> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--shows-podcasts menu__item--has-submenu"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/podcasts-and-shows/" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"podcasts & shows","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/podcasts-and-shows/"}'>Podcasts & Shows</a> <button class="menu__toggle-submenu" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"toggle podcasts & shows drawer","clickType":"global navigation"}'>Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows</button> </div> <div class="submenu submenu--shows-podcasts"> <span class="submenu__category submenu__category--daily">Daily</span> <ul class="submenu__list submenu__list--daily"> <li class="submenu__item submenu__item--timed submenu__item--weekday hidden"> <a href="/programs/morning-edition/" data-metrics-action="click morning edition" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"morning edition","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/programs/morning-edition/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome/programs/logos/morning-edition.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="" /> Morning Edition </a> </li> <li class="submenu__item submenu__item--timed submenu__item--saturday hidden" > <a href="/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/" data-metrics-action="click weekend edition saturday" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"weekend edition saturday","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/02/26/we_otherentitiestemplatesat_sq-cbde87a2fa31b01047441e6f34d2769b0287bcd4-s100-c85.png" loading="lazy" alt="" /> Weekend Edition Saturday </a> </li> <li class="submenu__item submenu__item--timed submenu__item--sunday hidden"> <a href="/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/" data-metrics-action="click weekend edition sunday" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"weekend edition sunday","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/02/26/we_otherentitiestemplatesun_sq-4a03b35e7e5adfa446aec374523a578d54dc9bf5-s100-c85.png" loading="lazy" alt="" /> Weekend Edition Sunday </a> </li> <li class="submenu__item"> <a href="/programs/all-things-considered/" data-metrics-action="click all things considered" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"all things considered","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/programs/all-things-considered/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome/programs/logos/all-things-considered.png" loading="lazy" alt="" /> All Things Considered </a> </li> <li class="submenu__item"> <a href="/programs/fresh-air/" data-metrics-action="click fresh air" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"fresh air","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/programs/fresh-air/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome/programs/logos/fresh-air.png" loading="lazy" alt="" /> Fresh Air </a> </li> <li class="submenu__item"> <a href="/podcasts/510318/up-first/" data-metrics-action="click up first" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"up first","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/podcasts/510318/up-first/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome/programs/logos/up-first.jpg?version=2" loading="lazy" alt="" /> Up First </a> </li> </ul> <span class="submenu__category submenu__category--featured">Featured</span> <ul class="submenu__list submenu__list--featured"><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510310/npr-politics-podcast" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"the npr politics podcast","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/podcasts\/510310\/npr-politics-podcast"}' > <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/01/11/podcast-politics_2023_update1_sq-be7ef464dd058fe663d9e4cfe836fb9309ad0a4d-s100-c100.jpg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/01/11/podcast-politics_2023_update1_sq-be7ef464dd058fe663d9e4cfe836fb9309ad0a4d-s100.jpg" class=" lazy" alt="" loading="lazy" /> The NPR Politics Podcast </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510333/throughline" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"throughline","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/podcasts\/510333\/throughline"}' > <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/15/throughline_tile-art_sq-b72bcfb6d8705d7761d4f421f0be3047631b709c-s100-c100.jpg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/15/throughline_tile-art_sq-b72bcfb6d8705d7761d4f421f0be3047631b709c-s100.jpg" class=" lazy" alt="" loading="lazy" /> Throughline </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510374/trumps-terms" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"trump's terms","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/podcasts\/510374\/trumps-terms"}' > <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/11/20/trumps-terms_tile-art_sq-09be0b471c4010c009718fe1a5b962defaf277c8-s100-c100.jpg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/11/20/trumps-terms_tile-art_sq-09be0b471c4010c009718fe1a5b962defaf277c8-s100.jpg" class=" lazy" alt="" loading="lazy" /> Trump's Terms </a> </li><li class="submenu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510379/wild-card-with-rachel-martin" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"wild card with rachel martin","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/podcasts\/510379\/wild-card-with-rachel-martin"}' > <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/19/tile-wild-card-with-rachel-martin_sq-c9e842a167bab21c50f45fbde9d7d33776e87eda-s100-c100.jpg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/19/tile-wild-card-with-rachel-martin_sq-c9e842a167bab21c50f45fbde9d7d33776e87eda-s100.jpg" class=" lazy" alt="" loading="lazy" /> Wild Card with Rachel Martin </a> </li></ul> <ul class="submenu__list submenu__list--directories"> <li class="submenu__item"><a href="/podcasts-and-shows/" data-metrics-action="click podcasts & shows" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"podcasts & shows","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/podcasts-and-shows/"}'>More Podcasts & Shows</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--search"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/search/" id="navigation_dropdown-search" data-metrics-action="click search" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"search","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/search/"}'>Search</a> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--newsletters"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="/newsletters/" data-metrics-action="click newsletters" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"newsletters","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/newsletters/"}' target='_blank'>Newsletters</a> </div> </li> <li id="user-account-dropdown-mount-two" class="menu__item menu__item--account"></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--shop"> <div class="menu__item-inner"> <a href="https://shopnpr.org" data-metrics-action="click npr shop" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"npr shop","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"https://shopnpr.org"}'>NPR Shop</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="menu menu--music" data-metrics-category-ga4="recirculation"> <div class="menu__list-wrap"> <ul class="menu__list menu__list--ecosystem menu__list--music"> <li class="menu__item menu__item--music-home"> <a href="/music/" data-metrics-action="click npr music logo" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"npr music logo","clickType":"global navigation","clickUrl":"/music/"}'> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome_svg/music-logo-dark.svg" class="music-logo" alt="NPR Music" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/chrome_svg/music-logo-light.svg" class="music-logo-alt" alt="NPR Music" /> </a> </li> <li class="menu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-34685/best-music-of-2024" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"best music of 2024","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-34685\/best-music-of-2024"}' > Best Music of 2024 </a> </li><li class="menu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"all songs considered","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/allsongs\/"}' > All Songs Considered </a> </li><li class="menu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts/" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"tiny desk","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/tiny-desk-concerts\/"}' > Tiny Desk </a> </li><li class="menu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/music-features" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"music features","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/music-features"}' > Music Features </a> </li><li class="menu__item"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/series/770565791/npr-music-live-sessions" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"live sessions","clickType":"music ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/770565791\/npr-music-live-sessions"}' > Live Sessions </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="menu menu--about" data-metrics-category-ga4="recirculation"> <div class="menu__list-wrap"> <ul class="menu__list menu__list--ecosystem menu__list--about"> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-home"><a href="/about/" data-metrics-action="click about npr" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"about npr","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/about/"}'>About NPR</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-diversity"><a href="/diversity/" data-metrics-action="click diversity" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"diversity","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/diversity/"}'>Diversity</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-support"><a href="/support/" data-metrics-action="click support" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"support","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/support/"}'>Support</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-careers"><a href="/careers/" data-metrics-action="click careers" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"careers","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/careers/"}'>Careers</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-press"><a href="/series/750003/press-room/" data-metrics-action="click press" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"press","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/series/750003/press-room/"}'>Press</a></li> <li class="menu__item menu__item--about-ethics"><a href="/ethics/" data-metrics-action="click ethics" data-metrics-ga4='{"action":"global_navigation_click","clickName":"ethics","clickType":"about ecosystem navigation","clickUrl":"/ethics/"}'>Ethics</a></li> </ul> </div> </section> </nav> </header><main aria-label="main content"><div class="speakable"> <b data-is-speakable>Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy</b> <b data-is-speakable>At 85, Eunice Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, is still working tirelessly to open opportunities to people with mental retardation. In 40 years, the games have grown to reach 2.25 million people in 160 countries.</b> </div> <div id="wrapper"> <header class="contentheader contentheader--one"></header> <section id="main-section"><article class="story"><a id="mainContent"></a><div class="slug-wrap"> <h3 class="slug"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/national/">National</a> </h3> </div> <div class="storytitle"> <h1>Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy</h1> <input type="hidden" id="title9136962" value="Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy" /> <input type="hidden" id="shortTitle9136962" value="Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy" /> <input type="hidden" id="modelFullUrl9136962" value="https://www.npr.org/2007/04/05/9136962/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy" /> </div>  <div id="story-meta" class="story-meta has-byline"> <div class="story-meta__one"> <div class="story-meta__one-inner"> <div class="dateblock"> <time datetime="2007-04-05T08:56:00-04:00"> <span class="date">April 5, 2007</span><span class="time">8:56 AM ET</span> </time> </div> <div class="program-block"> Heard on <a href="https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/2007/04/05/13117647/">Morning Edition</a> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="story-meta__two"> <div id="storybyline" class="storybyline-wrap linkLocation"> <div class="bucketwrap byline"> <div class="byline-container--block"> <div class="byline byline--block byline--has-link" aria-label="Byline"> <div class="byline__photo"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/2101159/joseph-shapiro" rel="author"> <picture><source srcset="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s=100&c=85&f=webp" class="img" type="image/webp" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="webp" /><source srcset="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s=100&c=85&f=jpeg" class="img" type="image/jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="jpeg" /><img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s=100&c=85&f=jpeg" class="img" alt="Joe Shapiro" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/04/30/wany2978_sq-8c244159d671d329c63c8bfe0f6a4dfa0b5c3c96.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="jpeg" /></picture> </a> </div> <p class="byline__name byline__name--block"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/2101159/joseph-shapiro" rel="author"> Joseph Shapiro </a> </p> </div> </div> </div>  </div> </div>  </div>  <div id="primaryaudio" class="storylocation linkLocation"> <article id="res9352189" class="bucketwrap resaudio" aria-label="audio-module"><div class="audio-module"> <h4 class="audio-module-title">Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy</h4> <div class="audio-module-controls-wrap" data-audio='{"uid":"9136962:9352189","available":true,"duration":0,"title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver\u0027s Olympic Legacy","audioUrl":"https:\/\/ondemand.npr.org\/anon.npr-mp3\/npr\/me\/2007\/04\/20070405_me_06.mp3?e=9136962&t=progseg&seg=6&p=3&sc=siteplayer","storyUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2007\/04\/05\/9136962\/eunice-kennedy-shrivers-olympic-legacy","slug":"National","program":"Morning Edition","affiliation":"","song":"","artist":"","album":"","track":0,"type":"segment","subtype":"other","skipSponsorship":false,"hasAdsWizz":false,"isStreamAudioType":false}' data-audio-metrics='[]'> <div class="audio-module-controls"> <a class="audio-module-listen" href="https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/me/2007/04/20070405_me_06.mp3?e=9136962&t=progseg&seg=6&p=3&sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer"> <b class="audio-module-listen-inner"> <b class="audio-module-listen-icon icn-play"></b> <b class="audio-module-listen-text"> <b class="audio-module-cta"> Listen </b> </b> </b> </a> </div> </div> <div class="audio-module-tools"> <a class="audio-tool audio-tool-transcript" href="https://www.npr.org/transcripts/9136962" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"audio","action":"audio_click_transcript","storyId":"9136962","mediaId":"9352189","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver&#39;s Olympic Legacy","type":"ondemand"}' > <b class="icn-transcript"></b> <b class="audio-tool-label">Transcript</b> </a> <button class="audio-module-tools-toggle" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"audio","action":"audio_open_more_options","storyId":"9136962","mediaId":"9352189","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver&#39;s Olympic Legacy","type":"ondemand"}' > <b class="icn-toggle"></b> <b class="label">Toggle more options</b> </button> <ul class="audio-module-more-tools"> <li class="audio-tool audio-tool-download"><a href="https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/me/2007/04/20070405_me_06.mp3?e=9136962&t=progseg&seg=6&p=3&sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"audio","action":"audio_download","storyId":"9136962","mediaId":"9352189","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver&#39;s Olympic Legacy","type":"ondemand"}' ><b class="icn-download"></b><b class="audio-tool-label">Download</b></a> </li> <li class="audio-tool audio-tool-embed" > <button data-embed-url="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9136962/9352189" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"audio","action":"audio_embed","storyId":"9136962","mediaId":"9352189","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver&#39;s Olympic Legacy","type":"ondemand"}' ><b class="button-inner"><b class="icn-embed"></b><b class="audio-tool-label">Embed</b></b></button> <div class="audio-embed-overlay"> <button class="btn-close"></button> <label class="embed-label"> <b class="audio-embed-overlay__icon"></b> <b class="label">Embed</b> <input class="embed-url embed-url-no-touch" readonly value="<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9136962/9352189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"></iframe>"> </label> <b class="embed-url embed-url-touch"> <code><b class="punctuation"><</b>iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9136962/9352189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"></code> </b> </div> </li> <li class="audio-tool audio-tool-transcript"> <a href="https://www.npr.org/transcripts/9136962" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"audio","action":"audio_click_transcript","storyId":"9136962","mediaId":"9352189","title":"Eunice Kennedy Shriver&#39;s Olympic Legacy","type":"ondemand"}' > <b class="icn-transcript"></b> <b class="audio-tool-label">Transcript</b> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div id="storytext" class="storytext storylocation linkLocation"> <div id="res9139437" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 349; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Shriver has been a lifelong advocate for people with mental retardation; she founded the Special Olympics in 1968. Above, Shriver stands with athletes in South Africa in 2002. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/africa500-93f613c0b637dedb5a4d4153d7fcd81ae534167f.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Shriver has been a lifelong advocate for people with mental retardation; she founded the Special Olympics in 1968. Above, Shriver stands with athletes in South Africa in 2002.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> </div> </div> <p>When Eunice Shriver was growing up — the middle child in her famous family — she developed a passion for competition and sports. </p> <p>"I was always trying to find my brothers, not my sisters," she says. "I wanted to play football, and I was very good. I was always the quarterback." </p> <p>Those football-playing brothers included Jack and Bobby Kennedy. Shriver's love of sports led her to later start the Special Olympics, which gave people with mental retardation the opportunity for athletic competition.</p> <p>Today, Shriver is still working — every day — as an advocate for people with mental retardation.</p> <p><strong>A Longtime Advocate</strong></p> <p>Shriver walks gingerly down the marble halls of a Capitol office building, holding onto the arm offered by her son, Tim Shriver. She's a pencil-thin woman, in a camel-hair coat with a fur collar. </p> <aside id="ad-backstage-wrap" class="ad-wrap backstage" aria-label="advertisement"> <div class="ad-header "><span>Sponsor Message</span></div> <div id="ad-backstage-News_National" class="ad-config ad-backstage has-refresh-enabled" data-ad-config='{"network":"\/6735\/","site":{"desktop":"n6735.NPR","mobile":"n6735.NPRMOBILE"},"zone":"News_National","targets":{"testserver":"false","isPodcastEpisode":"false","storyId":"9136962","program":"Morning_Edition","agg":["1090"]},"location":"backstage","deferred":false,"isBetweenContent":true,"overflowCount":null,"hasRefreshEnabled":true,"isOutstreamVideoEnabled":true}'></div> <div class="ad-footer "></div> </aside> <p>She walks into an office to meet Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). Shriver quickly takes off her watch and puts it on the table, to keep the meeting short. It's also a friendly warning for Tim; he runs Special Olympics now. </p> <p>"She's already telling me we have to end the meeting," Tim Shriver jokes to the senator. "We haven't even started yet."</p> <p>"You're on a stopwatch," Harkin replies.</p> <p>Harkin is a long-time supporter. It's a busy day, but he meets with the Shrivers for 15 minutes.</p> <p>The Shrivers and their delegation are on Capitol Hill to seek several million dollars to expand health care and other programs run by Special Olympics.</p> <div id="res9137615" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 357; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Eunice Shriver was the fifth of nine Kennedy children. Edward (from left), Jeanne, Robert, Patricia, Eunice, Kathleen, Rosemary and John stand with their parents, Rose and Joseph Patrick Kennedy, in London in 1937. Not pictured is the eldest Kennedy child, Joseph Patrick Jr. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Keystone/Getty Images </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Keystone/Getty Images </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/family500-fcec3eab965cd8832647dd29660a468495cfd6d8.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Eunice Shriver was the fifth of nine Kennedy children. Edward (from left), Jeanne, Robert, Patricia, Eunice, Kathleen, Rosemary and John stand with their parents, Rose and Joseph Patrick Kennedy, in London in 1937. Not pictured is the eldest Kennedy child, Joseph Patrick Jr.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Keystone/Getty Images </span> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>A Family History</strong></p> <p>No family has done more than the Kennedys to change negative attitudes about mental retardation. Back when having a family member with retardation was a source of secrecy and shame, President John Kennedy, in 1962, spoke of his family's own experience. One of the Kennedy children, Rosemary, was born with mild mental retardation.</p> <p>"Those of us who have seen children live in the shadow [of mental retardation]," he said, "know that a country as rich as ours can't possibly justify this neglect."</p> <div class="container small" id="con9355243"> <h3 class="conheader">Read An Excerpt:</h3> <div id="res9355018" class="bucketwrap externallink"> <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9136962#9075952" >'The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation'</a> </div>  </div>  <p>President Kennedy set up research centers on mental retardation. Robert Kennedy inspected squalid state mental institutions. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) helped write the Americans with Disabilities Act. And it was Eunice Kennedy Shriver who was always on the phone nagging her more famous brothers to take action.</p> <p>"I had enormous affection for Rosie," Shriver says. "If I [had] never met Rosemary, never known anything about handicapped children, how would I have ever found out? Because nobody accepted them anyplace."</p> <p>Rosemary's disability worsened after she had a lobotomy, an operation that was meant to help her. She spent most of her life at a private institution in Wisconsin and died in 2005. Eunice Shriver visited regularly and made mental retardation a constant cause.</p> <div id="res9138514" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 398; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Above, Shriver and a child play catch in Paris in preparation for the 1970 games. Today, the Special Olympics includes more than 2.25 million people in 160 countries. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Liaison/Getty Images </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Liaison/Getty Images </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/catch500-00dd71980206bb25a2885abb6c54ae81e42539ab.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Above, Shriver and a child play catch in Paris in preparation for the 1970 games. Today, the Special Olympics includes more than 2.25 million people in 160 countries.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Liaison/Getty Images </span> </div> </div> </div> <p>"Eunice is a remarkable woman," says history professor Edward Shorter, author of <em>The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation.</em></p> <p> "It was extraordinary of her to conceive that she, too, could play a role comparable to that of her brothers," Shorter says. "Her leadership role would be in the area of mental retardation rather than on the big political stage, because in the 1950s, she couldn't get on that political stage. Women weren't tolerated there."</p> <p><strong>'Never as a Burden'</strong></p> <p>Shriver saw that just as political roles were limited for her, many more opportunities were limited for people with mental retardation. Shorter says she rejected the role of society woman and took over the family foundation.</p> <aside id="ad-secondary-wrap" class="ad-wrap secondary" aria-label="advertisement"> <div class="ad-header "><span>Sponsor Message</span></div> <div id="ad-secondary-News_National" class="ad-config ad-secondary has-refresh-enabled" data-ad-config='{"network":"\/6735\/","site":{"desktop":"NPRSecondary","mobile":"NPRMobileSecondary"},"zone":"News_National","targets":{"testserver":"false","isPodcastEpisode":"false","storyId":"9136962","program":"Morning_Edition","agg":["1090"]},"location":"secondary","deferred":false,"isBetweenContent":true,"overflowCount":null,"hasRefreshEnabled":true,"isOutstreamVideoEnabled":false}'></div> <div class="ad-footer "></div> </aside> <p>"She had the genius to see that she, in fact, was capable of major achievements helping these kids, and that's what she did. She dedicated her life to it," says Shorter. </p> <p>She also opened her home. In 1962, an exhausted mother got Shriver on the phone. The woman wanted to know what to do because no summer camp would accept her child with mental retardation.</p> <div id="res9137926" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 352; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Shriver speaks at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago in 1968. She told the athletes, "In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' Let us begin the Olympics." <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/speaking500-d63f47d33c0c543b47c354f0dff478831761fb84.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Shriver speaks at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago in 1968. She told the athletes, "In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' Let us begin the Olympics."</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> </div> </div> <p>"I said, 'You don't have to talk about it anymore. You come here a month from today. I'll start my own camp. No charge to go into the camp, but you have to get your kid here, and you have to come and pick your kid up.' [I] said, 'Thanks very much,' and I hung up the phone."</p> <p>For years, Eunice Shriver ran that summer camp — for no charge — at Timberlawn, the family estate in Maryland. She would get in the pool and teach kids to swim. Her own children — Robert, Maria, Tim, Mark and Anthony — were just little kids in those days. </p> <p>"Talk to Timmy," says Shriver, "[He'll] tell you horror stories about how they were left in the house and nobody to play with because [I] was out teaching swimming."</p> <p>There were scores of noisy campers, counselors, horses, soccer games and obstacle courses. Lyndon Johnson came once. Robert McNamara, too.</p> <p>Tim Shriver says Camp Shriver--for all its chaos--is a big reason all his siblings stay involved in the issue.</p> <p>"The great gift that we had as kids," Tim Shriver says, "was never to be introduced to disability or intellectual disability as a cause but more as an activity. Never as a burden, but rather as a joy. Our introduction to people with special needs was to swim or to play kickball or to go horseback riding. Part of her genius [has] always been to create things that are appealing, create opportunities that are joyful that people want to join, that make things fun."</p> <div id="res9138157" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 361; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Shriver awards medals to athletes at the 1968 games. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/helmet500-cec26f562d643a009f1a8f9c1ce2e7709e7bedda.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Shriver awards medals to athletes at the 1968 games.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>The Games</strong></p> <p>That summer camp led Eunice Shriver and her husband, Sargent, to start the Special Olympics. Eunice Shriver opened the first national games. It was the summer of 1968, in Chicago, just weeks after the assassination of Robert Kennedy and before the riotous Democratic convention. </p> <p>"In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips," Shriver told the athletes, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Let us begin the Olympics."</p> <aside id="ad-third-wrap" class="ad-wrap third" aria-label="advertisement"> <div class="ad-header "><span>Sponsor Message</span></div> <div id="ad-third-News_National" class="ad-config ad-third has-refresh-enabled" data-ad-config='{"network":"\/6735\/","site":{"desktop":"NPRThird","mobile":"NPRMobileThird"},"zone":"News_National","targets":{"testserver":"false","isPodcastEpisode":"false","storyId":"9136962","program":"Morning_Edition","agg":["1090"]},"location":"third","deferred":false,"isBetweenContent":true,"overflowCount":null,"hasRefreshEnabled":true,"isOutstreamVideoEnabled":false}'></div> <div class="ad-footer "></div> </aside> <p>What began that year has grown. The 2007 World Games will be held in Shanghai. Eunice Shriver plans to be there, along with athletes from 160 countries.</p> <p>In recent years, she hasn't always been on the cutting edge of issues. Other advocates and her sons pushed to make Special Olympics more than a once-a-year sporting event. It's now a place where participants get linked to health care and community programs and start lasting friendships.</p> <p>At 85--rich and accomplished--she could retire or go on glamorous vacations.</p> <div id="res9139084" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 317; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> Shriver and her husband, Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., applaud athletes at the Third International Special Olympics held in Park City, Utah, in 1985. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/sarge500-de8bfa3efae27c52d499c642e1edd8b0247b26ac.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">Shriver and her husband, Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., applaud athletes at the Third International Special Olympics held in Park City, Utah, in 1985.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> </div> </div> <p>But don't try telling Eunice Shriver to relax. When asked why she continues to work so tirelessly on the issue she replies: "Because it's so outrageous, still. In so many countries. They're not accepted in the schools. They're not accepted in play programs. They're just not accepted. So we have much to do."</p> <p>And so Shriver keeps at it. The same week she lobbied senators for Special Olympics, Shriver also went to a congressional hearing and a gathering of governors. She met with the secretary of education and then with college presidents--to ask for education programs after high school.</p> <p>Every year, Shriver brings a parent of a disabled child and someone who works in disabilities to Washington. They work on Capitol Hill for the year, then most go back to their states, where they have become a new generation of leaders.</p> <p>Earlier this month, more than three dozen former Kennedy Fellows gathered in the ballroom of a Washington hotel to hold their first-ever reunion. There was a sense in the room that this might be a last chance to honor Shriver. She has been hospitalized several times; two years ago she had a small stroke.</p> <div id="res9139208" class="bucketwrap image medium"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 500; --source-height: 378; " > <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=webp 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=webp 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=webp 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=webp 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=webp 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=webp 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=200&c=85&f=jpeg 200w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=300&c=85&f=jpeg 300w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=400&c=85&f=jpeg 400w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=600&c=85&f=jpeg 600w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=800&c=85&f=jpeg 800w, https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=1600&c=85&f=jpeg 1600w" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" sizes="(min-width: 1300px) 300px, (min-width: 1025px) 300px, (min-width: 768px) 252px, calc(100vw - 30px)" class="img" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=1100&c=50&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" class="img" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </picture> <div class="enlarge-options"> <a class="enlargelink" href="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg">Enlarge this image</a> </div> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> <p> At 85, Shriver is still actively working as an advocate for people with mental retardation. Above, she sits with a baseball team at the 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games in Ames, Ia. <b class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Gary Clarke/Courtesy of the Special Olympics </b> <b class="hide-caption"><b>hide caption</b></b> </p> </div> <b class="toggle-caption"><b>toggle caption</b></b> </div> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Gary Clarke/Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> <div class="enlarge_measure"> <div class="img_wrap"> <picture> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" type="image/jpeg"> <img data-original="https://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2007/mar/shriver/ames500-cbb7e82040d6556eb02eed1e1fa5765ad9551fc4.jpg?s=2600&c=100&f=jpeg" alt="" /> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="enlarge_html"> <div class="image_data"> <p class="caption">At 85, Shriver is still actively working as an advocate for people with mental retardation. Above, she sits with a baseball team at the 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games in Ames, Ia.</p> <span class="credit" aria-label="Image credit"> Gary Clarke/Courtesy of the Special Olympics </span> </div> </div> </div> <p>Shriver stepped carefully to the podium. When she got there, she made clear that she will keep fighting for people with intellectual disabilities.</p> <p>"We've got to be so proud of what our special friends do and their future," said Shriver, "Their possibility of really bringing to the world something that really resembles peace and hope and faith and love that's what they can do. And we're so proud of them. And we want to keep going all the time, the next 20 years. I'm going. You come with me?"</p> <div class="container small" id="con9143156"> <h3 class="conheader">Related NPR Stories</h3> <div id="res9143157" class="bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col "> <div class="bucket"> <div class="bucketblock"> <h3 class="slug"><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/politics/">Politics </a></h3> <h3><a href="https://www.npr.org/2007/01/22/6943699/label-falls-short-for-those-with-mental-retardation" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"story_recirculation_click","clickType":"inset box","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2007\/01\/22\/6943699\/label-falls-short-for-those-with-mental-retardation"}' >Label Falls Short for Those with Mental Retardation</a></h3> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div id="res9143159" class="bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col "> <div class="bucket"> <div class="bucketblock"> <h3 class="slug"><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/national/">National </a></h3> <h3><a href="https://www.npr.org/2005/01/08/4275399/rosemary-kennedy-dies-at-86" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"story_recirculation_click","clickType":"inset box","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2005\/01\/08\/4275399\/rosemary-kennedy-dies-at-86"}' >Rosemary Kennedy Dies at 86</a></h3> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div id="res9143161" class="bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col "> <div class="bucket"> <div class="bucketblock"> <h3 class="slug"><a href="https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/">All Things Considered </a></h3> <h3><a href="https://www.npr.org/2002/02/11/1137874/health-care-for-the-mentally-retarded" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"story_recirculation_click","clickType":"inset box","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2002\/02\/11\/1137874\/health-care-for-the-mentally-retarded"}' >Health Care for the Mentally Retarded</a></h3> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div id="res9143163" class="bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col "> <div class="bucket"> <div class="bucketblock"> <h3 class="slug"><a href="https://www.npr.org/programs/talk-of-the-nation/">Talk of the Nation </a></h3> <h3><a href="https://www.npr.org/1998/05/07/1010438/disability-series-part-5-recreation" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"story_recirculation_click","clickType":"inset box","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/1998\/05\/07\/1010438\/disability-series-part-5-recreation"}' >Recreation and Disability</a></h3> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="container small" id="con9142071"> <h3 class="conheader">Web Resources</h3> <div id="res9142072" class="bucketwrap externallink"> <a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/Special%2BOlympics%2BPublic%2BWebsite/default.htm" >The Special Olympics</a> </div>  <div id="res9142492" class="bucketwrap externallink"> <a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/special%2Bolympics%2Bpublic%2Bwebsite/english/about_us/leaders/mrs.%2Bshriver%2Bbio.htm" >Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Bio</a> </div>  </div>  <div class="container medium" id="con1198214211"> <div id="res1198214212" class="bucketwrap image large"> <div class="imagewrap has-source-dimensions" data-crop-type="" style=" --source-width: 400; --source-height: 590; " > <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=138322830"> <picture> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=85&f=jpeg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=100&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="webp" class="img lazyOnLoad" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=85&f=jpeg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=100&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="jpeg" class="img lazyOnLoad" type="image/jpeg" /> <img src="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=85&f=jpeg" data-original="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s=1100&c=100&f=jpeg" data-template="https://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/t/the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation/9781566397827_custom-7fc5fdbbdf3d4b5eb0d8127190d8812922727e2f.jpg?s={width}&c={quality}&f={format}" data-format="jpeg" class="img lazyOnLoad" alt="The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation" loading="lazy" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="credit-caption"> <div class="caption-wrap"> <div class="caption" aria-label="Image caption"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="res1198214214" class="bucketwrap ecommerce ecommerce--detail"> <div class="ecommerce__label"> <div class="ecommerce__title--detail" > <h6>The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation</h6> </div> <div class="ecommerce__author--detail" > By Edward Shorter </div> </div> <button class="ecommerce__button ecommerce__button--book" ><b class="ecommerce__callout">Purchase Book</b><b class="ecommerce__title">Purchase</b></button> <div class="ecommercepop"> <div class="ecomm_body"> <button class='btn-close'>close overlay</button> <h3>Buy Featured Book</h3> <dl class="meta"><dt>Title</dt><dd>The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation</dd><dt>By</dt><dd>Edward Shorter</dd></dl> <input type="hidden" id="ecommerceId" value="3" /> <p class="support">Your purchase helps support NPR programming. <a href="https://help.npr.org/customer/portal/articles/2168887-how-can-my-online-purchases-support-npr-programming">How?</a></p> <ul class="purchase-links"> <li><a data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"affiliate","action":"affiliate_click","clickName":"Amazon","clickType":"book affiliate","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1566397820?tag=npr-online-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1"}' class="buylink1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1566397820?tag=npr-online-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1">Amazon</a></li> <li><a data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"affiliate","action":"affiliate_click","clickName":"Independent Bookstores","clickType":"book affiliate","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9781566397827?aff=NPR"}' class="buyLink3" href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781566397827?aff=NPR">Independent Bookstores</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="container medium" id="con1185403325"> <div id="res1185403327" class="bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col "> <div class="bucket img"> <div class="bucketblock"> <h3 class="slug"> </h3> <h3><a href="https://www.npr.org/2007/04/04/9075952/excerpt-the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation" data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"recirculation","action":"story_recirculation_click","clickType":"inset box","clickUrl":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2007\/04\/04\/9075952\/excerpt-the-kennedy-family-and-the-story-of-mental-retardation"}' >Excerpt: 'The Kennedy Family and the Story of Mental Retardation'</a></h3> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="share-tools share-tools--secondary" aria-label="Share tools"> <ul> <li class="share-tools__service share-tools__service--facebook"><button class="fbStory9136962" data-share-facebook='{"storyId": "9136962" }' data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"share","action":"share","clickName":"facebook"}' ><b class="share-tools__service-name">Facebook</b></button></li> <li class="share-tools__service share-tools__service--flipboard"><button class="story9136962" data-share-flipboard='{"storyId": "9136962" }' data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"share","action":"share","clickName":"flipboard"}' ><b class="share-tools__service-name">Flipboard</b></button></li> <li class="share-tools__service share-tools__service--email"><button class='share-tools__email-link' data-story-id='9136962' data-metrics-ga4='{"category":"share","action":"share","clickName":"email"}' ><b class="share-tools__service-name">Email</b></button></li> </ul> </div>  <div id="newsletter-acquisition-callout-data" data-newsletter="{"newsletterId":"news","title":"Up First","marketingHeader":"Sign Up For NPR's Up First Newsletter","frequency":"every day","shortDescription":"The stories you need to start your day, hand-picked for you every weekday. Plus, the best of NPR every Sunday.","stickyDescription":"Sign up for the NPR's Up First newsletter for the latest headlines and unique stories from the NPR Network.","contentImage":"https:\/\/media.npr.org\/assets\/img\/2023\/04\/03\/up-first-newsletter.png","staticMarkupDir":"\/buckets\/topics\/header1001.html","brandingDir":"\/branding\/sections\/news\/","brandingLink":"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/news\/","recaptchaSiteKey":"6LcdN9IZAAAAAOHT985BJjbzjkBjKSxdxK3GeKSt"}"> </div>  <div id="callout-end-of-story-mount"> </div>  <div id="callout-end-of-story-mount-piano-wrap" class="callout-end-of-story-mount-piano-wrap"> <div id="callout-end-of-story-mount-piano" class="callout-end-of-story-mount-piano"> </div>  </div>  <aside id="end-of-story-recommendations-mount" class="recommended-stories" aria-label="recommended stories"></aside>  </article><footer id="npr-footer" class="npr-footer" role="contentinfo" aria-label="NPR footer"><div class="npr-footer__content"> <div class="npr-footer__module-group"> <div class="npr-footer__module"> <h6 class="npr-footer__header">Read & Listen</h6> <ul> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/sections/news/">News</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/sections/culture/">Culture</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/music/">Music</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/podcasts-and-shows" >Podcasts & Shows</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="npr-footer__module"> <h6 class="npr-footer__header">Connect</h6> <ul> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/newsletters/" target='_blank'>Newsletters</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NPR/" >Facebook</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/npr/">Instagram</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/press/">Press</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/sections/publiceditor/">Public Editor</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/corrections/">Corrections</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://help.npr.org/contact/s/">Contact & Help</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="npr-footer__module"> <h6 class="npr-footer__header">About NPR</h6> <ul> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about/">Overview</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/diversity/">Diversity</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/network/" target="_blank">NPR Network</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/1136563345/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/ethics/">Ethics</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/178660742/public-radio-finances">Finances</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="npr-footer__module"> <h6 class="npr-footer__header">Get Involved</h6> <ul> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/support/">Support Public Radio</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/186948703/corporate-sponsorship">Sponsor NPR</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/careers/">NPR Careers</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://shopnpr.org/">NPR Shop</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://www.nprpresents.org">NPR Events</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/sections/npr-extra/">NPR Extra</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="npr-footer__module npr-footer__module--secondary"> <ul> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/179876898/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">Privacy</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy#yourchoices">Your Privacy Choices</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><a href="https://text.npr.org/">Text Only</a></li> <li class="npr-footer__item"><span class="copy-year"></span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer><div id="global-stickybar-mount" class="global-stickybar-mount"> </div> <div id="global-stickybar-mount-piano-wrap" class="global-stickybar"> <div id="global-stickybar-mount-piano" class="global-stickybar-mount-piano"> </div> </div> </section> <div id="main-sidebar"> <aside id="ad-standard-wrap" class="ad-wrap standard" aria-label="advertisement"> <div id="ad-standard-News_National" class="ad-config ad-standard has-refresh-enabled" data-ad-config='{"network":"\/6735\/","site":{"desktop":"n6735.NPR","mobile":"n6735.NPRMOBILE"},"zone":"News_National","targets":{"testserver":"false","isPodcastEpisode":"false","storyId":"9136962","program":"Morning_Edition","agg":["1090"]},"location":"standard","deferred":false,"isBetweenContent":false,"overflowCount":null,"hasRefreshEnabled":true,"isOutstreamVideoEnabled":false}'></div> <p class="left">Sponsor Message</p><p class="right"><a href="/about-npr/186948703/corporate-sponsorship">Become an NPR sponsor</a></p> </aside> </div>  </div>  <section id="global-modal-mount"></section>  <script type="text/javascript"> (function () { var loadPageJs = function () { (window.webpackJsonp=window.webpackJsonp||[]).push([[22],{1104:function(e,n,c){e.exports=c(302)},302:function(e,n,c){"use strict";c.p=NPR.serverVars.webpackPublicPath,Promise.all([c.e(1),c.e(2),c.e(3),c.e(92),c.e(75)]).then(function(e){c(2),c(1075),c(63),c(75),c(36),c(166),c(124),c(64),c(66),c(1076),c(84),c(1077),c(294),c(1078),c(41),c(1079)}.bind(null,c)).catch(c.oe)}},[[1104,0]]]); }; if (document.readyState === 'complete') { loadPageJs(); } else { window.addEventListener('load', function load() { window.removeEventListener('load', load, false); loadPageJs(); }); } })(); </script> </main></body></html>

CINXE.COM

Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy : NPR