Today is the birthday of a very special lady in my life. Today is the birthday of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Born July 10, 1921, her life only overlapped with mine by five years. But her influence is immeasurable.

For those of you that don’t know Mrs. Shriver, you might guess a few things by her name – sister of John F and Robert Kennedy- mother to Maria Shriver. But I think her most important relative was her sister Rosemary. You see, her sister Rosemary had an intellectual disability. Eunice was very saddened that there were no athletic opportunities for her sister. So much so that in 1962 she started “Camp Shriver”: inviting those with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and physical activities. “Camp Shriver” grew year over year and in 1968 it became officially known as the Special Olympics. Today Special Olympics serves over 4 million athletes in 170 countries.

Special Olympics Basketball

Today, I am a Special Olympics 4 sport athlete – bocci, golf, swimming and my true passion, basketball. Special Olympics is definitely providing me all of the things Mrs. Shriver dreamed it would – competition, friendships, teamwork. But it also provides me something Mrs. Shriver might never have expected. Special O gave me Stephen Curry. Yep – I said Stephen Curry.

Reviewing Curry highlights online

Stephan is the man. But I only found him because of Special O. About a year ago, I was googling my Special O basketball team the “Warriors”. I found that there is an NBA team also called the “Warriors”. And they have a guard named Stephen Curry. I immediately was drawn to him because of course we play for the same team in the same position. I started watching his games. Reviewing his highlights on Youtube. Wearing his jersey. But we have so much more in common: we have faced some of the same challenges. He had doubters – who questioned his abilities. I face that every day. He silenced those doubters with his skills and performance – I humbly admit I have done the same. He has overcome physical limitations – ankle problems – to persevere in his sport. I have short arms – but I still have a 75% shooting percentage. He is someone I can look up to – and emulate – and dream of being like. He is someone who shows me by example that it can be done – and every kid needs that in their life – especially a kid like me. He is my hero.

So today Mrs. Shriver, I wish you a huge Happy Birthday but most of all I say thank you. Thank you for the Warriors. Thank you for Stephen Curry. Thank you for all of the games – both Special O and NBA – that mean so much to me. Thank you for the practices and the scrimmages and the victories and even the defeats. You have given me so much. But if I could, may I ask for one more little thing…..if you have the chance, from wherever you may be, could you see what you could do to give all of the Warriors a great season next year?? 

GO WARRIORS!!!!