Family Gathers; Eunice Kennedy Shriver in Critical Condition

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with his wife Maria Shriver, daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, are there as well. The family is at her bedside at Cape Cod Hospital in Barnstable, Mass.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver has been weakened in recent years by a series of strokes. Shriver is the fifth of the nine Kennedy children. Edward Kennedy and Jean Kennedy Smith are her sole surviving siblings.

A statement from the Shriver family said,"Eunice Kennedy Shriver is in Cape Cod Hospital in intensive care in critical but stable condition," "Her entire family is with her -- her husband, all her children and her grandchildren. The family is grateful for the prayers of her many friends."

Shriver, 88, helped establish the Special Olympics 41 years ago. In 1984, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work.