During the 1960s, the United States was entrenched
in an era of great changes. The Civil
Rights Movement, based on the ideals of equality and representation for
minorities reflected the need for a program to address those with intellectual
disabilities. Founded by Eunice Kennedy
Shriver in 1968, the organization sought to promote a healthier understanding
of the intellectually disabled.
Shriver’s younger sister, Rosemary Kennedy was said to be intellectually
disabled. As social norms and
understanding of special needs at the time were lacking and misguided, those
with intellectual disabilities faced difficult lives as misrepresented
outcasts. Following the belief system of
the mid 1900s, Rosemary’s father, Joseph Kennedy, subject her to a brain
lobotomy at age 23 in hopes of “curing” her condition. Sadly, the procedure left her permanently
incapacitated. Possibly a catalyst for
Shriver’s contributions to the field, she sought supported a concept of
physical involvement in combination with organized competition.
From the 1968 single event, the Special Olympics has
grown from the first games consisting of 1,000 American and Canadian athletes
competing in a single day event to the world’s largest sports organization
comprised of 3.7 million athletes. With
offices in more than 170 countries, this successful growth has led to training
and competitions held on a daily basis worldwide for children and adult
competitors with varying forms of intellectual disabilities. Awarded the use of the official Olympic name
by the US Olympic committee only three years after its founding, the Special
Olympics grew with remarkable momentum.
With this momentum, followed the first Special Olympics game held outside
the United States, in Dublin, Ireland in 2003.
On a similar schedule as the International Olympic Committee games, the
next Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Pyeong Chang, South
Korea in Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2013. The next Special Olympics World Summer Games
will be in Los Angeles, Calif., USA in July 2015.[1]
In addition to the incredible contributions to the intellectually
disabled community on the local and social levels, the Special Olympics has
additionally served as a source of power for political activism. Most notable is the 2004, "Special
Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act," Public Law 108-406. The bill
authorized funding for its Healthy Athletes, Education, and Worldwide Expansion
programs. Additionally the 2008
formation of the Spread the Word to End the Word
campaign to encourage individuals to stop using the word "retard" in
everyday speech had been extremely successful in bringing political correctness
to the misuse of sensitive discourse.[2]
Today the Special Olympics has proven to be an
integral aspect of the intellectually disabled community. The social cohesion, support networks, and healthy
lifestyle the program offers are meaningful to all participant, athletes,
families, and volunteers.
[2]“Special Olympics.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Olympics (accessed April 20, 2012).
No comments:
Post a Comment