Bowling seemed like such a safe topic amid tense subjects like AIG bonuses and the struggling economy, until President Barack Obama joked to Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” that his poor bowling skills are “like the Special Olympics or something.”
On his way back to Air Force One, Obama called Chairman of the Special Olympics Tim Shriver and said he was sorry, before the interview even aired.
“He thinks the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world,” Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said.
Shriver issued a statement regarding the comment and said, “Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using Special Olympics in a negative or derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs.”
The organization called for this to be seen as “a teachable moment for our country” and asked “young people, parents and leaders from all walks of life to engage in conversation and help dispel negative caricatures about people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that it s only through open conversation and dialogue about how stereotypes can cause pain that we can begin to work together to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all.” [Source: FoxNews.com; Photo: Getty Images]
