Health Specialists Give Their Time And Expertise To Help Special Olympians

Hundreds of athletes at the Special Olympics National Summer Games are receiving free health check-ups, a service provided by specialist volunteers throughout the Games.

In the Opening Eyes section, there is a queue of athletes waiting to have their eye-health evaluated.

Auckland Optician Evan Brown is a long-time contributor of time and resources. His practice expects to provide about 350 pairs of glasses and lenses to athletes this year.

“We’ve been doing this every four years and generally screen around 1000 athletes over the course of the event. Of those, we find the about one-in-three need new eyewear,” he says.

The volunteer optometrists come from throughout the country to give their time and expertise. They are supported by students from Auckland University’s School of Optometry.

The Healthy Athletes Programme is a key part of the Special Olympics programme in which all 1200 athletes complete screenings for their eyes, hearing, teeth, footwear and general health.

Colleen, an athlete from the Mangere Club, has never been to an eye specialist. She follows Evan Brown’s instructions and quietly responds to his questions and gentle humour.

“Well Colleen, it seems you have very good eyes but I think we should get you a new pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes,” he says.

Colleen’s coach, Maria Lee, says the eye service is wonderful.

“We’ve found four or five of our athletes need a change and that’s great to know. And it’s free!

"Some of our athletes’ families have barriers to accessing these kinds of services, either cost or cultural. As coaches we feel it’s part of our job to find this kind of help for our athletes – optometry and things like ear waxing. We have to fundraise for these services, so it’s wonderful to be able to get this done here.”

At Wednesday’s opening ceremony, Special Olympics CEO Fran Scholey said that the Special Olympics movement aimed to use sport as the vehicle to better health outcomes. Through our Healthy Athletes programme feet, eyes, hearing, teeth and mental health all checked and I thank the more than 120 health clinicians bringing this programme to life.”

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