The Medical College of Wisconsin held a free sports physical day on Thursday, January 26 for Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athletes from Milwaukee Public Schools. Twenty-seven athletes attended, 18 of which were brand new to Special Olympics.

Physical Day not only provided athletes with free check-ups, it also allowed 30 volunteer medical students, residents and physicians to gain invaluable experience with the special population.

Special Olympics Wisconsin is excited to announce that Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has donated $21,000 to fund the Healthy Habits initiative, a program which provides resources to advance the health, fitness and lifestyles of the 10,000 Special Olympics athletes in Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, January 25th, a dozen Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athletes and staff members joined together with representatives from the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and People First Wisconsin to speak in favor of substituting the phrase "intellectual disability" for the R-word ("mental retardation" or "mentally retarded") in Wisconsin statutes. The bill is expected to pass this spring.

MADISON, Wis.— Special Olympics Wisconsin is excited to announce that Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has donated $21,000 to fund the Healthy Habits initiative, a program which provides resources to advance the health, fitness and lifestyles of the 10,000 Special Olympics athletes in Wisconsin.

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) held the third annual MedFest on Saturday, December 3 in conjunction with the Northern Fall Sports Tournament in Wausau. MedFest is a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes™ screening program that facilitates the required standard sports physical examination for current and prospective Special Olympics athletes. The physical examinations are conducted by volunteer medical professionals and are free to current and prospective athletes.

More than 50 volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, residents, and other healthcare volunteers will give free physical screenings to Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes during Special Olympics MedFest on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dale's Weston Lanes (5902 Schofield Ave, Schofield, WI) in Wausau.

By Jeanne Hrovat, Senior Director of Field Services and Initiatives

Sometimes a name is simply that – a name. But sometimes, it says it all. What I witnessed in Wausau was truly a “Mission of Mercy.”

Have a toothache, but don't have insurance? You're not alone. More than 1,000 individuals will line up at Mission of Mercy for a free check up or procedure at the Greenheck Field House in Wausau on Friday, June 24th and Saturday, June 25th from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The second annual MedFest took place on Friday, December 3 as nearly 100 athletes attended to take advantage of free sports physicals. Volunteers from the medical field had the opportunity to get specialized experience with the Special Olympics population.