Best known as the founder of the Special Olympics, she reshaped how we think about people with mental disabilities. Mrs. Shriver ensured that people with mental disabilities have a place in our society, that they are guaranteed civil rights including access to an education.

Much of this you may have heard over the last few days. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any athletes speaking out. Here is one of my favorite videos.  Enjoy!

Today is 3-21.  Happy World Down Syndrome Day. The goal of World Down Syndrome Day is to continue creating awareness about Down syndrome and promote acceptance of diversity.

Sadly, not 50 years ago in the US, people commonly threw they children away into institutions.  A heartfelt documentation about these institutions and about “the loss of a sister” is “Where’s Molly”.  Although, Molly didn’t not have Down syndrome, the point remains: for too long, many people with disabilities have been ostracized, demonized, and dehumanized.  Thankfully, things are very much different today, yet there is a ways to go.

Maria Shriver once said that the “Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people”.   Stares, terribly offensive language, and an educationally system setup for failure exists and stands in the way to total integration and acceptance. Through events like today, and events like the Buddy Walk, the hope is that we raise awareness regarding people with Down syndrome in our communities.

I also like to point out that there is a Lifetime movie coming out on April 12th based on the book A Memory Keeper’s Daughter. Same idea, don’t toss your children away.  Here is the Lifetime’s webpage about the program.  Not sure if it is going to be as good as the book.

My experience with children with disabilities is that they do teach us “typical folk” so much more than we can teach them.  So, next time you see someone with Down syndrome, say Hi.  You might just find a teacher.