A New Zealand athlete born with autism has been awarded the title of Sargent Shriver Global Messenger by Special Olympics International ("SO International").
Named after the husband of Eunice Kennedy’s husband, Sargent Shriver, he created the role with the belief that the Special Olympics could change the world. Eunice Kennedy, who was a sister to late US President John F. Kennedy, founded the Special Olympics movement in 1968. Eunice and her sister Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability, used to play sports together with their family growing up. In those days, there were limited programmes and options for someone like Rosemary and many other children. Eunice knew this wasn’t right and she decided to change the world.
New Zealander Grace Payne from Special Olympics Counties Club was shocked when she received a video message from Tim Shriver, SO International Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Grace, one of ten recipients of the international role, is known for her activism around New Zealand and throughout the Asia Pacific region promoting the Special Olympics and the rights of people with disabilities. She will continue that work through this role over the next four years as she travels the world promoting the organisation.
We put forward the following questions to Grace's representatives at Special Olympics New Zealand ("SONZ") about this role:
Does SO International fund Grace's travels, costs, etc? Costs are covered by Special Olympics International through their long term partnership with Bank of America.
Is there any commitment required from SONZ or Grace's family to enable her to undertake any international commitments? The opportunity to be a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger is available to any athlete who undertakes the SONZ Athlete Leadership Programme and continues their work as an athlete leader back in their club.
Notes: For twenty years Special Olympics athlete leaders have served in a select role titled Sargent Shriver Global Messenger. These spokespeople for the movement lead the campaign for a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities. Through their participation and leadership at global, regional, and local events—both internal and external to the Special Olympics Movement—they challenge the mindsets of political leaders, policy makers, educators, employers, and society.
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