The mission of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes?, developed in 1996, is to
improve athletes' ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Healthy
Athletes is designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and
fitness, leading to enhanced sports experience and improved well-being.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Initiative includes these
disciplines
Fit
Feet
FUNfitness
Health
Promotion
Opening
Eyes
Special
Smiles
Healthy
Hearing
In addition, Special Olympics has developed MedFest,
a program that facilitates the required standard sports physical examination for
current and prospective Special Olympics athletes.
During a Healthy Athletes event, Special Olympics athletes receive a variety
of health screenings and services in a series of clinics conducted in a
welcoming, fun environment. Health care professionals and students are trained
to provide the screenings in an effort to educate the professional community
about the health needs and abilities of persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
The health data gathered at events are important for planning, programs,
gaining support, improving policies and research.
Data from the Healthy Athletes venues are being entered into this Web-based
system to constitute the largest database of health data in existence.
Healthy Athletes Objectives
The key objectives of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes are:
- Improve access and health care for Special Olympics athletes at
event-based health screenings.
- Make referrals to local health practitioners when appropriate
- Train health care professionals and students in the health
professions about the needs and care of people with intellectual
disabilities
- Collect, analyze and disseminate data on the health status and needs
of people with intellectual disabilities
- Advocate for improved health policies and programs for person with
intellectual disabilities.
The success of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes events depends on
partnering. Special Olympics program staff support the work of trained Healthy
Athletes volunteers to provide event-based health opportunities for athletes.
Event managers create an environment for positive interaction between health
care professionals, other volunteers, and Special Olympics athletes and their
families.
Products, equipment and cash donations from local, national and international
companies help to support the program. Financial support of governmental and
philanthropic sponsors helps the program grow. Support of the volunteer
opportunities offered by Special Olympics Healthy Athletes provides ongoing
community network for improved access to health care for Special Olympics
athletes¡ªcreating a legacy of care.
