Healthy Athletes
At
more than 1.2 million free health screenings in more than 100
countries, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program has offered
health services and information to athletes in dire need. In the
process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health
organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.
Miracles at Every Turn
Moise Ahoussimou, a poor West African boy with an intellectual disability and next to no vision, is one example. While volunteering at Healthy Athletes, a doctor realized Moise had been blinded by cataracts. He was referred for a simple operation, and Moise left his appointment with restored sight. He saw his father for the first time. “I can see." He grabbed his father’s hand. “Hey! Dad, I didn’t know you are that tall!”
Miracles
like Moise’s happen at every screening. A volunteer dentist from
California, USA saved athlete Dustin Plunkett's life by finding his
mouth cancer. Mariam Zakhary of Egypt, fitted with a hearing aid, heard
her language and her coach for the first time in her life. Stories like
Mariam’s are inspiring nations like Egypt to expand their offerings to
athletes. All Special Olympics Egypt athletes now receive medical exams
and follow-up care.
 |
| At the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, thousands of athletes were screened by health care professionals who volunteered their time for more than a week. Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz |
Seven Health Areas
Officially launched in 1997, Healthy Athletes organizes its events in a welcoming, fun environment. Its screenings educate athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identify problems that may need additional follow-up.
Did You Know?
- Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care, or virtually no health care at all.
- Health Athletes has the world's largest database of health data for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Through Healthy Athletes, more than 100,000 health care professionals have been trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities. These health care professionals provide improved care to millions.
- Special Olympics has given out more than 90,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to athletes who needed them.
Article from Special Olympics. "Founded in 1968, Special Olympics.. provide[s] year-round sports training
and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them
continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate
courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills
and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and
the community."
 |
| Spectrum Support I Part A Vitamins |
Brainchild liquid nutritional supplements are designed to support the needs of children and adults facing neuro-environmental health issues such as autistic disorders, ADD/HD and environmental toxicities. Want to know more, visit the BrainChild website now.
