Here's her statement:
"While I am confident that President Obama never intended to offend anyone, the response that his comments have caused, coupled with the reaction of a primetime audience, demonstrate the need to continue to educate the non-disabled community on the issues that confront those with a developmental disability. My mother has dedicated her life to fighting stereotypes and ridicule for this community, and there is still much work to be done."
"The President's apology for his comments and his commitment to bringing the Special Olympics to the White House are important first steps in shedding light on this important issue. Often times we don't realize that when we laugh at comments like this it hurts millions of people throughout the world. People with special needs are great athletes and productive citizens, and I look forward to working with the President to knock down myths and stereotypes about this community.''
Obama himself apologized to Tim Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics, for the gaffe made on the Leno show, which has prompted some of the organization's athletes also to comment. Both Maria Shriver and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have been international ambassadors for the Special Olympics, opening ceremonies arond the world for the organization founded in 1968, and which has aided more than 200 million individuals with intellectual disabilities.
MR. LENO: Now, are they going to put a basketball –- I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.
MR. OBAMA: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)
MR. LENO: Really? Really?
MR. OBAMA: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)
MR. LENO: No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.
(LOOK AT THE VIDEO and you will see that Jay is mugging and wispering to the audience that is his bowling score is lame... so, I am paying attention to Jay, when President Obama says quietly....)
MR. OBAMA: It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something.
(Again, watch the video below ... it was NBD, until the GOP says it is...)
MR. LENO: No, that's very good.
MR. OBAMA: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.
MR. LENO: And how about, are you going to put in a basketball court?MR. OBAMA: Oh, yes. Yes. Well, we have a basketball court already at Camp David. We just had a little rim that was inadequate–- (laughter) –- at the White House. But there are tennis courts, so we’re going to just get those –- you know, those rims that you can roll in and out. And then we’ll just put them on either –-
MR. OBAMA: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)
MR. LENO: Really? Really?
MR. OBAMA: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)
MR. LENO: No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.
(LOOK AT THE VIDEO and you will see that Jay is mugging and wispering to the audience that is his bowling score is lame... so, I am paying attention to Jay, when President Obama says quietly....)
MR. OBAMA: It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something.
(Again, watch the video below ... it was NBD, until the GOP says it is...)
MR. LENO: No, that's very good.
MR. OBAMA: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.
MR. LENO: And how about, are you going to put in a basketball court?MR. OBAMA: Oh, yes. Yes. Well, we have a basketball court already at Camp David. We just had a little rim that was inadequate–- (laughter) –- at the White House. But there are tennis courts, so we’re going to just get those –- you know, those rims that you can roll in and out. And then we’ll just put them on either –-
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