Posted at: 08/11/2009 6:29 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 08/11/2009 7:40 PM
By: Ray Levato

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Eunice Shriver's Rochester visit in 1979

Eunice Shriver came to Rochester for the International Special Olympics at SUNY Brockport in 1979. 3500 athletes from all 50 states and 23 countries converged on the Brockport campus for six days in August. With 3-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, the Olympic torch was lit to great excitement and anticipation.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics greeted the athletes. "Every parent is called on to make sacrifices in the name of love. But the parents of special olympians have done more," said Mrs. Shriver.

"Mrs. Shriver was an elegant person with a lot of charisma," said Dr. Joseph Winnick. Winnick was a pioneer at SUNY Brockport in what's called "adapted" Physical Education for people with mental disabilities. "And I worked with her on and off for 40 years in meetings in Washington and other places. She was always committed to the task."

News 10 NBC interviewed Dr. Winnick in front of the massive Russain sculpture that became the signature of the Special Olympics here entitled Happiness to the Children of the World. "I think the thing that stands out in my mind is just the excitement, the number of people that were here. The recognition that kids with disabilities enjoy participation and enjoy the recognition," said Dr. Winnick.

Other members of Kennedy family came as well. Ethel, the late Sen. Bobby Kennedy's wife. And Sen. Ted Kennedy. And there were dozens of celebrities from the entertainment and sports worlds, from TV personalities Sally Struthers, Susan St. James, Phil Donohue and Marlo Thomas, to Hank Aaron, Frank Gifford, Pele, Bobby Orr and Rafer Johnson.

Mrs. Shriver said at the time, "All these people are so impressed by the courage and the tenacity and the dignity of these people who have to overcome obstacles every day of their lives."

Karen Warden is a Special Olympics mom and coach at the organization Continuing Developmental Services. Her 32-year-old son Kristopher is a special athlete. "She was a very lovely woman. She was very cordial to all the athletes," said Mrs. Warden. "She went out of her way to shake hands and talk with people. And it was a great thing for her and the Kennedy family to start Special Olympics."

To view pictures from the event, click here

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