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This Friday marks the 50th
anniversary of the death of President John
F. Kennedy, my Uncle Jack. I know the media
will concentrate on the tragedy, the
potential of the Kennedy presidency, and
what might have been. But, I plan to use the
deep emotions of this day to do something
positive and uplifting.
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Inauguration
Day: January 20,1961 |
President Kennedy signed the
first major U.S. legislation to help people
with intellectual disabilities. It was part
of a “bold new approach” – at a time when
individuals with IDD were routinely
institutionalized and locked away.
Inspired by the challenges in the life of
his sister Rosemary, President Kennedy
became a pioneering advocate for people with
disabilities. He was the first president to
welcome a person with intellectual and
developmental disability in to the White
House. Fueled by the passion of my mother,
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, he established a
President's Panel on Mental Retardation.
Within the National Institute of Health, he
created what would become the Eunice Kennedy
Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human
Development. And he supported my mother’s
creation of Special Olympics. In the years
following the Kennedy administration,
Congress passed 116 acts or amendments
providing support for people with
intellectual disabilities and their
families.
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Best Buddies
Ambassadors: Eric and Daniel |
So we can bow our heads about
what might have been or choose to be
inspired to action by what we can do now to
recognize and honor his enduring legacy.
Today, please support Best Buddies as we
continue to change the world for people with
intellectual disabilities by:
• Contributing to our
Ambassadors Fund to honor President Kennedy
and support our program teaching our Buddies
about leadership, public speaking and the
opportunity to be self advocates;
• Volunteering to join a
Best Buddies chapter in your school or
community through the Best Buddies
Friendship program;
• Joining a Best Buddies
Advisory Board or signing up to participate
in one of our Ride/Run/Walk events;
• Hiring a Buddy to work
at your job site.
To make a donation in Uncle
Jack’s memory visit www.bestbuddies.org/jfk or
to become involved in one of our programs,
please contact info@bestbuddies.org.
There is no question that my
Uncle Jack’s legacy lives on in the work we
do with Best Buddies. I hope you will take
a moment to remember and honor the hope, the
optimism, and the courage of his presidency
with a donation in his honor to Best
Buddies today.
All the best,
Anthony K. Shriver
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