"You are the stars and the world is watching you,
By your presence you send a message to every village,
every city,
every nation.
A message of hope,
a message of victory!"
-Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Today we mourn the loss of one of the most unlikely, influential and impactful sports heros of all time.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver died early this morning at the age of 89. Eunice was the visionary and founder of Special Olympics.
Shriver's vision that one million intellectually challenged would one day compete was met with skepticism in 1968 when the inaugural Special Olympics opened. Today more then three million compete for honor and bravery.
In the modern age of sports we get so wrapped up in big contracts, steroids, scandals, dunks and home runs. We lose sight of the good sports actually does for the everyday super star.
In sports, Shirver found that she could give a sense of self back to the challenged. A sense of purpose and desire we all seem to be missing no matter what our handicaps may be.
It is a rare occasion when one family receives a letter from the pope and the leader of the free world when they lose a family member, but Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a women who touched the hearts of the world.
"Let me win,
but if I cannot win
let me be brave
in the attempt."
-Special Olympic Oath
A message we need to embrace.
Eunice Kennedy Shirver's passing will be marked with tears and a hole left in the heart of the world.
-ryanhs
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