On Saturday, October 26, 2024, Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) hosted their annual Healthy Athletes event at the SONJ Sports Complex in Lawrenceville. Thanks to the generous support of the Golisano Foundation, the CDC, NJ Department of Community Affairs, RWJBarnabas Health, Healthcare Quality Strategies Foundation, Bristol Myers Squibb, TD Charitable Foundation, BD, Delta Dental, and Inspira Health, SONJ provided FREE health screenings in the following disciplines:
- Healthy Hearing
- Special Smiles
- Opening Eyes
Together, with nearly 100 volunteers, we provided 157 free health screenings to over 65 unique athletes across 3 health disciplines. SONJ’s goal was to encourage athletes to get screened and fit properly for prescription eyewear, improve their oral health, and have their hearing assessed and we were successful in all three areas.
Healthy Hearing
This is SONJ’s 5th time hosting the event and the 2nd time we’ve included Healthy Hearing. 45 athletes attended the Healthy Hearing screenings, and 50% needed cerumen removal onsite and 2 were referred for impacted ear wax.
“I had a wonderful experience at the Healthy Athletes event. The Healthy Athletes event made me recognize even more that as IDD individuals age, navigating their health care needs can encompass so many barriers such as finding compassionate care providers and receiving care in a welcoming environment that allows the time to address concerns and educate to promote long term health. This is an excellent health care model that I would be proud to participate in again in the future.”
-Dr. Wendy Rivers, parent of SONJ athlete and Healthy Hearing Volunteer
- 45 athletes screened
- 50% of athlete received cerumen removal onsite
- 2 athletes referred for cerumen removal
- 19 athletes referred for further audiological evaluation
Special Smiles
A total of 52 SONJ athletes received dental screenings, cleanings, and treatment, all on-site and also completely FREE of charge! Because many athletes with IDD face several barriers when accessing adequate dental treatment, SONJ is able to offer screenings in order to detect what type of care athletes need, and then is able to provide the care and treatment on-site.
“It’s a shame to see and hear that this population doesn’t get the support that they need. The athletes and their caregivers were so grateful for our help, and it felt great to be able to help them. I think the more experience I get working with this population the more prepared I will feel to provide oral healthcare services to this population in the future.”
-Middlesex College dental hygiene student
This event also helps to link those athletes with the necessary follow-up care they need. Thanks to Delta Dental for supporting Special Olympics New Jersey and the New Jersey Dental Association we are able to provide our athletes with a list of both adult and pediatric dental providers by county and if they accept Medicaid and provide sedation.
- 52 athletes screened and treated
- 19 referrals
Opening Eyes
Lastly, we provided 79 total eyewear for our athletes including prescription glasses, sunglasses, sports goggles, or swim goggles FREE of charge in the Opening Eyes discipline.
“Interacting with Individuals with IDD can change students’ attitudes towards this population, and this makes it more likely that they will welcome opportunities to provide oral healthcare services to them in the future.”
-Lynn Tobin, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene, Middlesex College.
- 57 athletes screened
- 79 total eyewear provided
- 43 glasses
- 25 sports or swim goggles
- 11 sunglasses
- 10 referrals, 1 urgent
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Programs, made possible by the Golisano Foundation in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are creating a world where people with intellectual disabilities have every opportunity to be healthy. Healthy Athletes® provides free health screenings in a fun, welcoming environment that removes the anxiety people with intellectual disabilities (ID) often experience when faced with a visit to the doctor or dentist. We not only serve these athletes but also train healthcare professionals who then go back to their practices with increased knowledge of and compassion for people with ID.
“The unique talents of our volunteers made a significant difference. We saw many smiling faces leaving the Complex that day. Our goal was to encourage athletes to get screened and fit properly for prescription eyewear, improve their oral health, and have their hearing assessed. We were successful in all three areas. This event made a lasting impact on our athletes and families and we look forward to providing more opportunities for athletes in the future.”
– Amelia Hamilton, Health Programs Director
