Eunice Shriver's dedication will live on

I remember when I was younger reading books on the Kennedy family and being especially interested in Rosemary and what she had gone through.  I didn't know then that I would have a child who would have the same difficulties that Rosemary had while she was growing up.  I remember reading one particular story about Rosemary, this was shortly before her tragic lobotomy.  During a family gathering she had an explosive outburst in which she became violent. From what I had read these episodes were happening more often as she entered her early twenties and was becoming increasingly frustrated with her limitations.  This story has been with me as I have raised my daughter.  I have watched her frustration over the years, at times her frustration has led to such outburts.  The most important goal in raising Amber was to build her self esteem and to have her in situations where she could utilize her strengths, and to help her learn how to get herself through the inevitable moments in life when one becomes overwhelmed.  Were it not for Eunice Shriver's dedication to help others like Rosemary and showing the world that those with developmental disabilities should not be shut away we would not have the resources that are available today.  We now have dedicated teachers who will begin to teach our children when they are small how to shine in their own light. We now have dedicated individuals in agencies who will help our children when they are adults to live their lives to the fullest.   We now, as a society, no longer shut our children away to languish in institutions, we can now cheer them on during events like the Special Olympics. Or in my case, I can cheer one child on as I watch her become independent, and in the back of my mind remember the story of Rosemary Kennedy and know what could have been if we had not been blessed with the dedication of Eunice Shriver.