Morris: Shriver leaves world better for millions with disabilities

Upon occasion, a person has a profound positive effect on the lives of millions of people. Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921-2009) was such a person.

Born into wealth and sister of powerful political brothers, her life's impact may well be greater than any of them.

Eunice was very close to her sister, Rosemary, who had a mental disability made worse by a failed brain operation. But Eunice never rejected her sister.

Through their relationship, Eunice came to know many others with intellectual disabilities. This was during the dark days of what we now know as the “institutional period” in our nation's history.

What Eunice saw in these people was hope and opportunity to make their lives far better. In the 1960s, she pushed and prodded her brothers, John F. and Bobby, to do something bold to help those who were seen by most as hopeless. John was president of the United States and Bobby was Attorney General.

What came of Eunice's relentless efforts was the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. That group of visionaries dared to imagine people with significant disabilities living and working in communities all across America - no longer locked up in state, county or private institutions.

Eunice championed that idea, and added one of her own. Why not create a sports and recreation opportunity for these same people? Why not allow them the chance to run, jump, throw, hit and swim - just like other athletes?

Thus was born Special Olympics. This was a VERY bold notion, but Eunice was a bold thinker and leader.

What Eunice did was bring people with intellectual and physical disabilities out of the shadows and into the sunlight. She sought to make them visible in every community in America and around the world. She was committed to making communities much more inclusive and welcoming for those on the margins.

And how she succeeded!

The truth is that Discovery Living and every community-based disability organization in America owes a huge debt of gratitude to Eunice. We exist because of her vision and persistence.

Yes, millions of lives were changed. Not only disabled people's lives were made better, but our lives as well. She touched us all. What a legacy she has left. We are better because she lived her life with such purpose and love.

John D. Morris, executive director of Discovery Living Inc. in Cedar Rapids, has worked in the intellectual disabilities field for nearly 37 years.