On 22 September 2012, the third global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day (EKS Day) will be celebrated around the world, bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities in sport activities to honor the inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. While nearly 4 million Special Olympics athletes and millions of coaches, families, fans and friends live her legacy and lead our movement every day, we unite on EKS Day in over 100 countries and thousands of communities to show the world the power of sport to create opportunities of acceptance.

WHAT

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is an annual celebration of her life and a global call challenging everyone to "Play Unified to Live Unified" because Mrs. Shriver taught us that on the playing field, we forget about our differences and recognize our mutual humanity. On EKS Day, we invite you to join us in playing unified and teaching the world to live unified. We are demonstrating Eunice Kennedy Shriver's enduring vision by calling upon athletes, families and friends to come together in a day of inclusive sport and play.

WHEN

On 22 September 2012, Special Olympics and Best Buddies will commemorate the third annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day (EKS Day), bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in sport and to honor Mrs. Shriver's inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit.

WHO

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is celebrated around the world and led by the program leadership of both Special Olympics and Best Buddies in an effort to celebrate her life and impact and share her story to inspire new fans. We hope to inspire people of all ages to follow her example and commit themselves to improving the world for people with intellectual disabilities. Please join the athletes of Special Olympics and buddies of Best Buddies, the real heroes of this movement that are unifying communities and expanding opportunities around the world. Help them honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver on Saturday, 22 September.

WHY

Eunice Kennedy Shriver's actions helped open the minds of all people to the gifts and talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She believed in their possibilities, which fuel hope in all of us to make a difference. Eunice Kennedy Shriver demonstrated an unrelenting indomitable spirit in action that one person could make a difference and change the world. Her lasting legacy must be our continued commitment to improve and transform the lives of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual disabilities who still live with diminished opportunities and social disrespect, and are often neglected and hidden away.

HOW

Today, our call to action begins with you. We invite you to celebrate this extraordinary woman's legacy, and take part in Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day's demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity. You can participate by:

Joining a Unified Sports team, or even starting one of your own!

Volunteering as a coach in your community

Sharing your story of playing unified or making friends with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

For More Information

EKS Day is an opportunity to celebrate the impact that one dedicated, individual can have on the world. Become an agent of acceptance and action throughout the world. Embrace the spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day and "Play Unified to Live Unified." Visit www.eunicekennedyshriver.org to learn about the life and impact of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. For more information on EKS Day, visit www.eksday.org