Eunice Kennedy Shriver Dies at 88  Shriver devoted her life to
improving the welfare of the mentally disabled and founded the
Special Olympics as a showcase for their abilities...   From the
Washington Post:  Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 88, a member of a
political dynasty who devoted her life to improving the welfare
of the mentally disabled by founding the Special Olympics, died
Tuesday morning at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass., after a
series of strokes.  Shriver, a sister of President John F.
Kennedy and Sens. Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, was
credited with playing a major role in changing the perception of
mental retardation. When she began her work in the field half a
century ago, it was common for mentally disabled people to be
placed in institutions that did little more than warehouse them.
Through her programs and hands-on efforts, she demonstrated that
with appropriate help, most developmentally disabled people can
lead productive and useful lives.   Read the rest of the article
here.