Aug. 17, 2009

I was shocked to learn about the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder and honorary chair of Special Olympics. As a veteran medical volunteer serving Healthy Athletes program for nearly a decade I am much grieved. I first heard about this great name in San Diego, California, when I involved in a SO activity, and learned about her contribution to the movement, as well as the accomplishments her team had made. My reverence to the lady kept growing along with my participation in SO events. It impressed me even more in September 2007 when she came to China again for the world games in Shanghai. She already had had a stroke when she appeared among us in that hot summer afternoon. Pushed in a wheel-chair by her son, she toured almost all the spots in our athlete healthy screening center, saying hello to athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff from different countries and of different age and race. All of us greeted to this distinguished lady, paying our tribute. From my close observation I found her fatigue and really being old. She was trying hard to accomplish her mission with her utmost efforts and spirit. Her son was waving to the crowd while pushing forward his mother in the wheel-chair so as to ease her fatigue. But people didn’t want to miss the chance to seeing her, touching her hands.

The scene leaps up vividly before our eyes and we wish her longevity and see her again in Beijing. The cruel fact is that she has gone forever after less than two years since we met last. She left for heaven forever with her worry and sentimental attachments, her rigidity and loyalty to Special Olympics.

The lady has gone but the career she started will carry on and flourish. We firmly believe her spirit will continue to lead us forward and maintain our great family’s unity, friendship and solidarity.

Eternal glory to Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver! We will always cherish memory of you!

Yours sincerely,

He Naiyao

Medical volunteer, HA Program

        驚悉國際特奧會創始人，榮譽主席，尤尼斯·甘迺迪·施萊佛女士不幸去世，我做為一個參加特奧會運動員健康項目近十年的老醫務志願者，感到很難過。因為我從第一次在美國加州聖地亞戈參加這一活動開始就知道了這個偉大的名字，知道了她對特奧事業所傾注的心血和她所率領的團隊，造就的成績與輝煌。伴隨著對特奧運動的逐步深入瞭解和體驗；伴隨著一次次在特奧活動中的參與和實踐，對這位老人的敬仰之情也越來越深，特別是在2007年9月上海第十二屆夏季國際特奧會期間，她抱著已經中風過的身軀，再次來到中國，在酷熱的夏天，她幾乎走遍了運動會的各個場所，令我難忘的是那天她在兒子的陪伴下，坐輪椅來到了運動員健康計畫篩查中心，看望來自世界各地的特奧大家庭的成員們，許多不同國家，不同膚色，不同年齡的特奧工作者、教練員、運動員、志願者，紛紛迎向前去。大家以各種方式表達對這位元傑出的女性、這位慈善的老媽媽、老奶奶的敬意和問候。我也隨著人群擁向她的身邊，從近距離的觀察中，我看出了她的蒼老；看出了她的疲勞；看出了她是在盡自己的最大精神和努力，去完成她的使命。為了減少老人家的疲勞，她兒子邊推輪椅，邊揮手示意：不要讓她太累了。可是多少雙眼睛不願放棄這個難得的相見的機會；多少雙手希望握握這位舉世聞名的為特奧事業奮鬥終身的老媽媽……

        昨日的一切都還歷歷在目，我們多麼希望她老人家健康長壽，有朝一日，能在北京再見到她。可是二年不到的時間，我們卻得到了老人家去逝的消息。她走了；帶著對特奧大家庭的眷戀和牽掛；帶著對特奧事業的摯著和忠誠到天堂去了。老人家走了，但她所創建的特奧事業一定會繼往開來，蓬勃發展。我們堅信，老人家的精神將繼續指引我們去奮鬥，去維繫特奧大家庭的團結、友誼、合作和信任。特奧事業前景輝煌！

尤尼斯·甘迺迪·施萊佛女士永垂不朽！

您將永遠活在我們特奧大家庭成員的心中！

特奧會運動員健康項目醫務志願者

賀乃堯  中國·北京

2009年8月17日