I met Eunice Shriver. Yes,I did. No I am not a friend. And certainly she wold have no recollection of the occasion whatsoever. And, no, I will not be in Hyannis, where thousands are expected today.
In 1968 Eunice Shriver had managed to convene the first Special Olympics at Soldier Field in Chicago. There were no spectators to speak of. Some people reported that there were about 100 people in the stadium that could hold 85,000 at that time. There were about 1000 special olympians there. There were no famous athletes, no village, no network media announcers. It was no big deal to most people.
But it was a huge deal – a really big deal – to the 1000 special olympians who were there.
The stadium was virtually empty, but to those of us who were there — it was overflowing. There was no more room for what filled Soldier Field that day. The seats may have been empty, but the place was at capacity — sold out. And it was all due to the work and inspiration of Eunice Shriver.
What was it that we needed to make more room for ? DIGNITY.
Dgnity. Defined as — “The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.”
Yes, it was there in the 1000 very “special” minds and hearts of the Olympians who competed with such determination and joy.
The dignity that was brought to the event is epitomized in the Special Olympians oath:
“Let me win,
but if I cannot win
let me be brave
in the attempt.”
Who am I to say these things about the first Special Olympics?
Well, I was one of a ragtag bunch of volunteers that were assembled to help with the Olympics. An experience that none of us ever considered, then, would have any lasting impact on our lives, the lives of those athletes nor on the lives of so many. We volunteers could see, up close and personal, the strength and determination ( and the occasional disappointment) that these athletes brought to each race. Now we all are able to see this in the same way through the lens of TV cameras and HDTV. There is a difference, And I am forever grateful for having had the chance to cheer, to hug, to congratulate and to briefly know these athletes. Our role was very insignificant. The athletes were all stars.
But the biggest star of all that day was Eunice Shriver. She didn’t just show up. she was THERE! She talked to the athletes. She cheered and hugged with the rest of us. And she came and personally thanked all of our volunteers. She brought dignity to Soldier Field and to the hearts and minds of all of us who were there that hot afternoon in July 1968.
What strikes me most at this time is that Eunice had a vision in 1968, and she never lost sight of it. People were skeptical and thought it would be a one-time event. Those of us who were there knew better. Eunice was committed. She saw in a very personal way the dignity that this event brought to these fine atheletes. She knew that there were lots of other Special Olympians who could and should participate. She had a vision of them, of the event, of the benefits of being “brave in the attempt.”
Vision begets work, if you are committed to vision. Some people fear work so they adjust vision to meet the work they are willing or can do. Eunice haad a grand vision and never stopped working at it. She instilled her spirit and commitment to her vision in each person who came near the Special Olympics.
If you want to get a feel for it, click this link (http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/). You will hear her voice from a time much later when the Special Olympics were well known and when the media was able to embrace the event. Now from 1000 athletes in 1968, there are over 3 million athletes across the world who train for the Special Olympics.
Give a listen. Click it.
Thank you, Eunice, for your vision, your persistence, and your caring. It has brought dignity and joy to many, many more than you will ever know, in ways you never imagined.
