Nov 17, 2009 3:27 pm US/Pacific
Special Olympics Creates 'Day Of Action'
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (CBS) ―
"I remember when she came into kindergarten and she was a very quiet little girl," Joann Waybright, said.
Waybright is a teacher that says that taking part in the Special Olympics has given Amanda a sense of belonging.
"Now I look at Amanda and she is actually, as a fifth grader, one of our leaders," Waybright said.
Amanda is one of the children being celebrated as Special Olympic leaders from around the world discuss the movement's future.
On Tuesday, they also created a Day of Action to honor the woman who started it all, the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
"It's the first day in the history of the world that will honor a woman across countries and across all geographies. We're going to try to create a united day all over the world that asks people to be engaged in breaking down barriers, breaking down fear and mistrust," Tim Shriver said.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver's son, Tim, hopes the day will inspire school celebrations and pledges not to use harmful words.
Olympic superstar, Rafer Johnson, says much has changed since his early days of supporting the Special Olympics.
"Some of the families wouldn't have anything to do with Special Olympics because it showed that they were people with intellectual disabilities," Johnson said.
But he says there is still tremendous bias that needs to be tackled.
"I've been in Special Olympics for almost 12 years and I've been enjoying it ever since," Debi Anderson said.
Anderson is an Ambassador for the Special Olympics. She says it's showing the world what athletes like her can do. She says she is here to help build the next generation of champions, like Amanda.
"You can tell by looking at her… this is the time of her life. She's having a great time," Waybright said.
The exact date for the Day of Action has not been set yet.
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