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On a typical team of 10 athletes: 9 will have problems with flexibility or balance 7 will be overweight or obese 4 have untreated tooth decay 4 need eyeglasses 3 would fail a hearing test 1 needs an urgent referral to a dentist |
Fit Feet evaluates ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics, and offers proper shoe inserts and socks to participants. Many athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. In fact, 50 percent of Special Olympics athletes experience one or more preventable or treatable foot conditions.
CLINICAL DIRECTORS
Dr. Tim Dutra, DPM, MS, MHCA
Dr. Dianne Mitchel
Special Olympics Global Clinical Advisor
FUNFitness provides athletes the opportunity to be screened for flexibility of hamstring, calf, shoulder rotator and hip flexor muscles; functional strength of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles; and balance. During these screenings physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapist or physical therapist assistant students work with athletes and coaches to improve optimal function in sports training and competition, prevention of or reduced risk for injury and recommending exercises and other helpful strategies.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Lindsay McGraw, DPT
Health Promotion, focuses on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices, and nation-specific health issues. In addition to health education activities, health Promotion offers screenings for bone density, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Its goals include encouraging and enhancing healthy behaviors and improving self-efficacy and self-advocacy.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Kathleen Edmunds
Healthy Hearing provides comprehensive hearing screenings and follow-up recommendations. The main goals of this program are to inform athletes, parents, coaches or caregivers about the detection of possible ear and hearing problems, recommend follow-up as needed, and to advise about the necessity of regular ear and hearing screening.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Beth Lannon
Special Olympics Global Clinical Advisor
Dr. Jane Grabowski, AuD
MedFest was created to offer the physical exam that all athletes need prior to participating in Special Olympics sports programming. Led by volunteer physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and medical students, the MedFest screening consists of the following stations: medical history, height and weight, blood pressure, cardiology test, musculoskeletal test, orthopedic tests, abdominal evaluation, and a check out station.
CLINICAL DIRECTORS
Dr. Margaret Lin-Martore
Dr. Christina Kinnevey
The Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® program is changing lives in communities across the globe, providing free eye assessments, prescription eyewear, sunglasses and sports goggles to people with intellectual disabilities. At the end of the 12-step visual exam, a decision is made if new glasses may be helpful. Through the generosity of our corporate sponsors Essilor (lenses) and Safilo (frames), athletes choose from a selection of free eyewear. Athletes who do not need any corrective lenses receive plano sunglasses provided by Safilo.
Clinical Directors
Dr. Heidi Pham-Murphy
Dr. Chelsy Pham
Special Smiles provides free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques. Special Smiles has demonstrated remarkable success in creating awareness and improving access to dental care for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
CLINICAL DIRECTORS
Allen Wong, DDS, EdD, DABSCD
Special Olympics Global Clinical Director
Lynne Wong, DDS
Dr. Jeanine Nordeen
Dr. Isaac Navarro
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as: thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others. Special Olympics Northern California Strong Minds offers participants the opportunity to learn and practice the movement meditation of Qigong.
CLINICAL DIRECTORS
Chris Shelton, MQT
Paris Shelton, FAFS
Lauren Mahakian, LCSW
Audiologists
CHES
Dentists
Dental Hygienists
Dietitians
Nutritionists
Nurse Practioners
Occupational Therapists
Optometrists
Physicians
Physical Therapists
Podiatrists
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Health Professionals
Special Olympics Health is made possible by the Golisano Foundation in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
