George Harris, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

Eunice Kennedy Shriver has died. You probably know that she began the Special Olympics, the athletic competition program for people with disabilities. And of course she was inspired by her sister, who was developmentally disabled.

Mrs. Shriver was famous, and this gave her influence most people don't have to get things done. Still, I'm always impressed when people who could afford to do anything they want choose to help others.

There are many people who are helping others in the world, in America and in Kansas City. Some are well known, most aren't.

I met one such man, Jean Vanier, over 20 years ago. Vanier started the International Federation of L'Arche, which encourages the establishment of homes for people with developmental disabilities. There is a L'Arche Community (L'Arche Heartland) in Overland Park, and over the years many local people have worked hard to create real homes for people in our area who need a supporting community.

I don't know whether Jean Vanier ever met Eunice Shriver Kennedy. But both of them saw dignity in people with disabilities and tried to create opportunities for the rest of us to see it as well.

I once visited a L'Arche home in Canada. I was introduced to a young man living in the home who grabbed me by the hand and led me up the stairs to his room. He couldn't talk, but he opened his closet and pointed to several pairs of his shoes, all neatly lined up. Smiling politely, I looked at the shoes for a minute then we walked back to join the group.

It was the next day before I understood what happened. He was telling me that in this home he had a place for his things and that he took pride in keeping them neat. A young man who couldn't talk could nevertheless know how important it is to be treated with and to have dignity and respect.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver created the opportunity for people with disabilities to compete to win or to be brave if they could not. She helped them feel pride and self-respect.

And she created an opportunity for those of us who are, for the moment, able-bodied to observe and learn what every human needs.