Thesis

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

~Special Olympics Athlete Oath, courtesy of SpecialOlympics.org

Prior to the 1970s, Americans with intellectual disabilities were forcefully imprisoned, treated inhumanely, and deemed unteachable. That was until Eunice Kennedy Shriver created the Special Olympics in 1968, which suppressed the social marginalization and the psychological barriers that previously affected those with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics continues to boost the morale of their athletes worldwide, through the social interactions that their annual events provide. Additionally, this organization allows for more representation opportunities for young intellectually disabled people as it promotes them to become advocates for equality along with providing them with free, more advanced healthcare tailored to their needs.