Shriver's Contributions Remembered in Rochester
Shriver's Contributions Remembered in Rochester
Monday, September 07, 2009
Reported by Meghan Backus, WROC TV Channel 8
People around the world are mourning Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She died Tuesday morning at the age of 88. Shriver founded Special Oympics in 1962 with the goal of showing people with disabilities are capable.
Since then, she has touched hundreds of thousands of lives, including many in Rochester.
It was actually 30 years ago this week, Shriver visited SUNY Brockport. She joined other big names to host the 5th International Special Olympics Games on campus.
"She was very charismatic, very dedicated and a very gracious woman," said Sharon Vito of Penfield.
Years after the games in Brockport, Vito briefly met Shriver. Vito's daughter, Amanda, was competing in the National Special Olympics games in Iowa at the time. She says the program has changed Amanda's life.
"It has probably made her more dedicated and allowed her to focus," Vito said.
Amanda joined the Special Olympics program through the organization, "Continuing Developmental Services", based out of Webster. It has partnered with Special Olympics for more than 20 years.
The head of CDS says he has seen Shriver's vision realized all over the world. "It wasn't so much that people with developmental disabilities could participate in sports," said Sankar Sewnauth, "but she saw more than that. She saw they had the right to live where they wanted, to work where they wanted, (and) to go to school where they wanted."
Vito says her daughter has opportunities she may not have had without Special Olympics. Amanda plays sports year round now, and she has a daycare job at a local YMCA.
To Vito and her family, the contribution's Shriver has made will last long after her death.
"It's like an icon has passed," Vito said. "She's probably gazing down on us now, saying, yes I think I did do a good job."
The head of CDS says he wants to ensure Shriver's legacy lasts. He expects his organization's program with Special Olympics to grow. Currently, more than 100 people CDS serves takes part in Special Olympics.
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