Healthy Athletes
Healthy Athletes is a Special Olympics program that provides free health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes. As the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics utilizes volunteer health professionals to deliver free preventative screenings and care throughout the world.
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.
Special Olympics D.C. offers these services in the following areas:
- Dental
- Vision
- Healthy Lifestyles
- General Fitness
Special Smiles - Dental: Partnering with the Howard University School of Dentistry, Special Olympics D.C. provides athletes attending the Summer Games with free oral examinations. Participants not only have their teeth and gums examined, they also receive instruction on proper dental care and get free giveaways.
Opening Eyes - Vision: Dr. Nancy Ross and a team of dedicated doctors give free eye examinations to athletes during the Summer Games. Free prescription glasses are provided to any athlete requiring them. Members of The Lions Club serve as volunteers in supporting this screening event.
Health Promotion – Healthy Lifestyles: Educational exhibits are set up at Special Olympics D.C. events devoted to nutrition, developing good health habits, prevention, and general fitness. Athletes go through fun and informational sessions with trained health professionals and receive free handouts and materials.
FUNFitness – General Fitness: FUNfitness is a free fitness screening event in which Special Olympics athletes are assessed in the areas of flexibility, strength, balance, and aerobic fitness. Athletes are shown exercises that help to improve identified areas of need.
If you are interested in learning more about the Healthy Athletes program offered by Special Olympics D.C., please contact Maria-Nelly Johnson at mjohnson@specialolympicsdc.org
Funding Support for the Special Olympics D.C. Healthy Athletes Program Provided By:
