As a board member of the Special Olympics International, it
is such a tremendous loss having to say goodbye to our beloved founder, Eunice
Kennedy Shriver. Her dynamic vision, undeniable passion for the intellectually
disabled and courage to change the world will be missed on a global level.
My introduction to the world of Special Olympics was through
Bobby Shriver. I was asked to contribute to the Very Special Christmas album.
What Child Is This was a perfect fit to a terrific musical idea that helped
expose the Special Olympics movement to the masses.
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mrs. Shriver on
many occasions - at the world games in Japan, China, board meetings in DC and
New York and I also sang for her at the Clinton White House. I even attended
her 85th birthday at the Bush White House just a few years back. She was always
interested in my interests, career and especially my children.
My greatest honor was portraying a mother whose son had
Down's syndrome in the independent film My Brother. We had a special screening
in DC that she attended with me. What an honor and what a legacy.
My
thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and the entire Special Olympics
movement.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Online Memorial
