Healthy Athletes®
Healthy Athletes® is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities. Across the state, these Healthy Athletes initiatives are offered at several events, including Summer Games.
FUNfitness®
Funfitness is an opportunity for athletes to receive a total body fitness evaluation and educational materials from fitness experts to improve flexibility, strength and balance.
1 Min Read
Healthy Hearing®
Healthy Hearing offers free hearing screenings designed to ensure proper audiology care for Special Olympics athletes to improve their communication skills, social interactions and quality of life.
1 Min Read
Lions Club International Opening Eyes®
Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes is a program designed to provide quality eye care for people with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read
Special Smiles®
Special Smiles provides the gateway to not only good oral health but to overall better health through screening, education and by providing avenues for treatment options.
1 Min Read
MedFest®
Medfest provides the portal for entering the Special Olympics Virginia community and has been responsible for evaluating and uncovering many conditions, including some life-threathening ones, in athletes with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read
Health Promotions®
Health Promotion improves the quality of life and long-term health of Special Olympics Virginia athletes by promoting healthy behaviors, screenings and medical referrals.
1 Min Read
Health Challenges
Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better healthcare than others, they typically receive sub-standard care, or virtually no healthcare at all. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities are at an increased risk for poorer health and preventable health conditions. In fact, in a large study of Special Olympics athletes:
29%
Failed Hearing Tests
35%
had untreated vision impairments
50%
had one or more foot diseases or conditions
29%
Males with low bone mineral density
13%
females with low bone mineral density
Supporters
Sports, Health, And Fitness.
Why is it important for those with intellectual disabilities?