Healthy Athletes

The Healthy Athletes initiative is dedicated to providing health services and education to Special Olympics athletes, and changing the way health systems interact with people with intellectual disabilities. Through free health screenings, training for healthcare professionals, and evaluation of the health status of people with intellectual disability, Healthy Athletes has become a powerful public health organization worldwide

At SOGA, we hold at least one Healthy Athletes screening at nearly all of our state events.

Indoor Winter Games

At our annual Indoor Winter Games held in Marietta, GA we offer the Special Olympics Healthy Hearing program which is a free hearing screening designed to ensure proper audiological care for participating Special Olympics athletes. Led by volunteer professionals, Healthy Hearing also provides tests for cerumen (ear wax) and otoacoustic emissions tests.

At Indoor Winter Games we also offer Special Olympics Health Promotion which is a free screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation, and physical fitness. Health Promotion is designed to convey and reinforce key concepts on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices, and nation-specific health issues

Summer Games

At our State Summer Games held in Atlanta, GA at Emory University we hold 3 free health screenings.

We offer Special Olympics Fit Feet, which is a free podiatric screening for participating Special Olympics athletes evaluating ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics, and proper shoe and sock gear. In partnership with the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP) and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Fit Feet also provides referrals for those participating Special Olympics that require follow up services.

We also offer The Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program which is a vision and eye health screening in partnership with the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes is able to offer prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and sports goggles to Special Olympics athletes.

The third screening offered at Summer Games is our Special Olympics Special Smiles which offers free dental screening, oral health information, and instructions on brushing and flossing properly to participating Special Olympics athletes, as well as preventative supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Athletes who require follow up dental services are referred to local oral health professionals. At 2010 Summer Games we screened 470 athletes and added on a sealants component, which actually gives our athletes the opportunity to get sealants on site, at no cost.

Masters Bowling Tournament

We offer a second Special Smiles screening at our annual Masters Bowling Tournament.

Fall Games

At Fall Games in Statesboro we offer Special Olympics FUNfitness which is a physical therapy screening program that is designed to assess and improve physical strength, flexibility and balance, educate athletes and parents on the importance of staying physically fit and flexible, and provide a hands-on opportunity for participating Special Olympics athletes to learn more about physical therapy. Developed in partnership with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), FUNfitness is led by volunteer physical therapists.

If you are interested in volunteering at a Healthy Athletes screening, or have questions regarding SOGA’s Healthy Athletes program you may contact Stephen Sparks at Stephen.Sparks@specialolympicsga.org or 229-292-6955.