Since February’s annual Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, 26 representatives and 6 senators in the U.S. Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. This boost in support will hopefully increase the chances for the legislation to be passed during the current legislative session, but it is by no means guaranteed.  Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support this bill.

The EKS Act authorizes annual funding for a number of Special Olympics programs, including $8.5 million for Healthy Athletes. This support is critical for the future of Special Olympics health and research programs. SEE PHOTOS FROM CAPITOL HILL DAY.

By Darcie Mersereau; Vice President, Health Programs

This question is asked today far less often than it was 15 years ago when Healthy Athletes was officially launched. Then, staff and volunteers spoke about “mission creep.” They expressed concerns that our sports organization was overstepping by taking on health. That we had no expertise or business in this arena and that it would distract resources and our people from our core mission. Today, the Special Olympics Movement has fully embraced Healthy Athletes. It is integral to our organization's current strategic plan and has been implemented in more than 100 countries. READ MORE.

Like many athletes who visit Healthy Hearing, Marjan Kol surprised audiologists who screened her. They were surprised that she was able to participate in team sports, despite severe hearing loss in both ears. Today, however, after follow-up visits with a hearing professional in her home country and free hearing aids, thanks to Special Olympics and the Hear the World Foundation, her hearing and life have improved in many ways. READ MORE.

Stories of Special Olympics athletes who have had their lives transformed thanks to free hearing aids from Healthy Athletes and the Hear the World Foundation are being reported around the world. There are too many stories for Healthy Athletes to tell them all, but a new photo slideshow highlights some of these amazing stories. SEE THE SLIDESHOW.

By Renee Dease

Daniel Hammer, a Special Olympics athlete from Lansing, Michigan has been active in Special Olympics since 2001 and competes in sports like track & field, swimming, bocce, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and poly hockey. But it was a recent addition to his activities – the Y Be Healthy program – that has improved his life and helped him lose weight.

“During the program, he enjoyed walking the track and treadmill and also using the stationary bikes,” said Meredith DiMaria, Sports Program Coordinator with Special Olympics Michigan - Area 8. “Daniel never once complained that he was tired or wanted to stop during the 50 minute training period each week. This is why he lost the weight; he never stopped moving.” READ MORE.

 In 2011 several Special Olympics Programs began partnering with their state Mission of Mercy (MOM)organizations to provide free dental services for athletes.  Mission of Mercy is a large-scale dental clinic in which dental services are provided for adults and children who cannot afford or do not have access to dental care.   

Below is the 2012 calendar for all MOM events in the United States.  If you are interested in partnering with your local MOM group, please contact Drew Choules (dchoules@specialolympics.org). Drew can then work with you to schedule a time discuss planning and logistics for each of these events.

March 23-24 - Danbury, Connecticut
April 27-28 - Jonesboro, Arkansas
May 18-19 - Modesto, California
June 2-3  - Lincoln, Rhode Island
June 8-9  - Greys Lake, Illinois
June 29-30  - Madison, Wisconsin
July 13-14 - Alliance, Nebraska
August 17-18 - Mankato, Minnesota
August 17-18  - Jackson, Mississippi
August 24-25  - Sacramento, California
September 14-15 - Medford, Oregon  
September 28-29 - Pueblo, Colorado
October 5-6  - Davenport, Iowa  
December 7-8 - Phoenix, Arizona

To the Healthy Athletes team at Special Olympics Minnesota for loading photos from their recent event on flickr within days of the screenings. CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS...

Have someone that deserves a kudos? Contact us (khejlik@specialolympics.org) and let us know.  We are glad to share with the Healthy Athletes community worldwide.