1、Eunice Kennedy Shriver.docVIP

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009: she changed the world for people with mental disabilities [ 2011-08-23 14:51 ] FAITH LAPIDUS: Im Faith Lapidus. BOB DOUGHTY: And Im Bob Doughty with People in America in VOA Special English. Today we tell about Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She was a member of one of the most famous families in American politics. She used her influence to make a difference in the lives of millions of people. Though she never ran for office, she spent her life energetically working to improve the lives of people with developmental problems. Eunice Shriver was best known for creating the Special Olympics, an athletic event for people with mental disabilities. Her efforts changed the way the world thinks about the mentally disabled. EUNICE SHRIVER: 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. The right to play on any playing field. You have earned it. The right to study in any school. You have earned it. The right to hold a job? You have earned it. The right to be anyones neighbor. You have earned it. FAITH LAPIDUS: That was Eunice Kennedy Shriver speaking at the?1987 Special Olympics games in South Bend, Indiana. She was a thin and energetic woman with a huge smile and great spirit. Ms. Shriver officially became involved in helping people with developmental problems when she became the executive vice-president of a family organization in 1957. The Joseph P. Kennedy Junior Foundation was created in?1946 to honor her oldest brother, who died fighting in World War Two. Under her guidance, the foundation turned its attention to studying the causes of mental disabilities. It also sought to improve the way society treats people with such disabilities. The foundation also started centers for the study of medical ethics at Harvard University and Georgetown University. BOB DOUGHTY: Eunice Shriver and her family had a personal reason to be in