Special Olympics SA provides health screening

Special Olympics South Africa held a Healthy Athlete Screening for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The event was hosted at the Dough Whitehead School in Kensington on March 12.

Healthy Athlete Screening is an initiative that takes place annually in South Africa.

This initiative takes place in at least four provinces.

Ms Zanele Ngwenya, marketing and communications coordinator, explains that the organisation offers free health services and information to athletes in need of medical attention. “In the process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organisation dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities,”said Ms Ngwenya.

“This event would not have been possible without the help of medical specialists, medical physicians and professionals in dentistry, optometry, podiatry and physiotherapy. We thank all of them for offering their time, skills, efforts and services at no cost to the athletes.”

During the screening, Special Olympics also hosted a family health forum where parents were offered an opportunity to engage in topics that will help them deal with issues they might be experiencing daily at home or in their communities.

“The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes programme started 15 years ago to address both the causes and effects of the poor health outcomes in this population through free health screenings in seven medical disciplines. The Healthy Athlete Screening gives athletes the opportunity to improve their ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. This includes early detection of medical unfitness and providing those in need with the necessary follow-up referrals in order for the athlete to receive the medical attention needed,” said Ms Ngwenya.

For more information visit Special Olympics South Africa at www.specialolympicssouthafrica.org. You can also engage with them on their social media platforms, Twitter @SO_SouthAfrica or Facebook Special Olympics South Africa SOSA.