When athletes are in their best physical health, they train and compete at their highest level. Healthy Athletes not only provides health services and education, it also trains health care students and professionals who gain increased knowledge of and compassion for people with intellectual disabilities. All athletes with a current medical on file with SOWI are invited to the screenings, even if they are not competing at State Bowling.
MedFest is a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program that facilitates the required standard sports physical examination for current and prospective athletes. The Special Olympics General Rules require that all athletes who want to participate in Special Olympics must be examined by a physician or trained medical professional. The physical examinations at MedFest are conducted by volunteer medical professionals and are free to current and prospective athletes.
We invite athletes with a current medical on file with Special Olympics Wisconsin to MedFest, even if they are not competing at the tournament. Contact Brittany at (608) 442-5683 or bhoegh@specialolympicswisconsin.org to register for MedFest. Walk-in are also welcome!
Special Smiles (funding provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation) performs dental screenings to increase awareness of oral health. At the screening, dentists and hygienists identify oral problems, while athletes are provided with hygiene education, a “goodie bag” with dental care items, fitted mouth guards and fluoride varnish!
Healthy Hearing conducts hearing screenings. Reduced hearing can have a significant negative impact on an athlete’s ability to respond to directions, as well as understand verbal information from coaches at practice and competitions. Hearing loss affects one’s safety and interpersonal relationships. A hearing screen is the first step in the process of identifying hearing loss and preventing its negative effects from occurring in sports and social events.
SOWI is excited to have a collaboration with HEAR WI to bring additional Audiology services to this event! Athletes with a need identified during the Healthy Hearing screen will be referred to HEAR WI’s Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC) for further testing, earwax removal and/or hearing aid check & cleaning. MAC will be parked outside of Weston Lanes.
HEAR WI staff welcome coaches and caregivers to take advantage of their services if there is not an athlete waiting to see them. To receive hearing services, check-in at Healthy Hearing room. Please do not go directly to MAC.
Remember to bring your hearing aid with you to the event! Hearing aid checks and cleaning services will be offered by MAC.
Thank you to Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation, Golisano Foundation and CDC for making the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program possible!
