Healthy Athletes

Special Olympics is already known for changing the lives of millions of athletes around the world. That change has now become even stronger since the Healthy Athletes Program was introduced at the 2001 Summer Games, changing the lives of athletes who have had minimal or no access to basic health care in the past.

Video

Watch this video to learn more about Healthy Athletes.

Mission

The mission of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program is to improve, through better health and fitness, each athlete's ability to train and compete in Special Olympics.

Cost to Athletes

The purpose of the initiative is to provide basic healthcare screenings and testing to Special Olympics athletes AT NO COST.

Benefits to Athletes

Statistics show that people with cognitive disabilities often do not receive the healthcare attention they need. Walmart Healthy Athletes provides an additional opportunity for increasing the physical fitness of people with cognitive disabilities. Any Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes who has a valid medical on file is welcome to participate the in Healthy Athletes program even if they are not registered for that particular state tournament.

From 2005-2009, Special Olympics Wisconsin Healthy Athletes Program has preformed 9,035 screenings. A total of 3,648 individual athletes have participated in the program from 2005-2009. Athletes have received multiple screenings, so the total screening number is higher.

Requirements

Any SOWI athlete that has a current medical on file with the SOWI Program Office can participate in the Healthy Athletes Program. All athletes with current medicals are encouraged to attend Healthy Athlete screenings even if they are not competing at the tournament which Healthy Athletes is being offered! 

Thank you to Walmart, Delta Dental and the Lions Club for making the Healthy Athletes Program possible! 

Click on icon below to learn more about each discipline

 

Volunteer Professionals

Thank you to the 395 professional volunteers who made the four Healthy Athletes events possible in 2009. Volunteers include dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, opticians, audiologists, physical therapists, podiatrists, physicians, nurses, physical therapy assistants, pharmacists, health educators, students and nutritionists from all over the state .

SOWI would also like to thank the following professionals for volunteering their time and expertise to be clinical directors for Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Healthy Athletes Program:

Clinical Directors

Robert Dwyer, DDS – Special Smiles Clinical Director
Anne Hvisdak, RDH, CDHC – Special Smiles Clinical Director
Kathleen Endres, RDH, CDHC – Special Smiles Clinical Director
Kellye Knueppel, OD, FCOVD – Opening Eyes Clinical Director
Lois Harrison, PT – Fun Fitness Clinical Director
Diane Isnard, PT – Fun Fitness Clinical Director
Dr. David Henry – Healthy Hearing Clinical Director
Dr. Birute Balciunas – Fit Feet Clinical Director
Judy Stych, RN, CDDN – Health Promotions Clinical Director
Linda Peterson, RD, CD, MPH – Healthy Promotions Clinical Director
Leah Ederer, MD – SOWI Medical Advisor for Healthy Promotions
Michael Clark, MD – Clinical Director

 

Since 2001, the Lions Clubs International Foundation's generous support has made it possible to expand Special Olympics' Opening Eyes initiative globally. The contribution not only maintains and improves all aspects of the initiative, but also helps provide volunteer support to the organization.