“Every person, regardless of whatever different abilities they may have, can contribute, can be a source of joy, can beam with pride and love.” – EKS
The U.S. Embassy, Nassau, Special Olympics-Bahamas and more than 150 Special Olympic athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters came together on Saturday to honour the founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, through an afternoon of games and dancing on the front lawn at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador, Nicole A. Avant.
Eunice K. Shriver was a leader who broke down barriers to improve the lives of millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and communities around the world for over five decades.
Although she passed away on August 11, 2009, her legacy lives on through the continued growth of the Special Olympic movement and the annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day celebrations that take place around the world.
There are currently over 400 Special Olympic athletes from The Bahamas and scores of local volunteers and financial supporters who assist these inspirational athletes in realising their dreams.
The Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, officially recognised Special Olympics-Bahamas’s impact on the community by issuing an official proclamation declaring September 25, 2010 EKS Day across The Bahamas.
This proclamation was the driving force behind Saturday’s celebration hosted by U.S. Ambassador Nicole A. Avant and her husband, Ted Sarandos at their Liberty Overlook home.
By her granddaughters, Eunice and Francesca Shriver, along with representatives from Best Buddies International, travelled to The Bahamas to take part in the event, meet with athletes and personally thank the people of The Bahamas for embracing the movement.
Ambassador
Avant is a long time supporter of Special Olympics and Best Buddies because she believes both organisations are committed to expanding the possibilities of people with intellectual disabilities, which fuels hope in all of us to make a difference.
“I’m so proud that I have the opportunity to honour Shriver’s legacy by recreating a mini ‘Camp Shriver’ on my front lawn,” she said.
“The Special Olympics’ annual EKS Day teaches us that differences are to be celebrated and appreciated and that every individual is entitled to dignity.”
Shriver launched a movement that challenged generations of people with intellectual disabilities to “play on” and become agents of acceptance and action in their communities.
Shriver convened the first Special Olympic Games in Chicago on July 20, 1968 only seven weeks after her younger brother, Robert Kennedy, was assassinated in Los Angeles.
In front of a crowd of fewer than 100 people, 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities marched in the opening ceremonies and joined Mrs. Shriver as she recited what continues to be the Special Olympics oath:
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Today, more than three million Special Olympics athletes are training year-round in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 181 countries.
EKS Day is celebrated each year to inspire new fans to embrace the movement and illustrate the capabilities of individuals who were once locked away in institutions.
It is a global call for people to commit actions of inclusion, acceptance, and unity for and with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The Kennedy-Shriver family also supports Best Buddies International, a global non-profit dedicated to establishing a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Special Olympics-Bahamas’ National Chairman, Basil Christie believes that The Bahamas is a better place because Special Olympics is active here.
“The courage, determination and the motivation to excel displayed by Special Olympics athletes inspires our community – young and old alike – to adapt to a new attitude of ‘yes I can’.
We owe it all to Eunice Kennedy Shriver because the spirit of self worth generated by these athletes has positively changed the lives of thousands around the world.”
