Special Olympics West Virginia

Join the Inclusive Health Revolution!

The vision of the Special Olympics Health program, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, is to create a future world where people with intellectual disabilities have the same opportunities to be as healthy as people without intellectual disabilities and, in doing so, Special Olympics athletes can perform to their best on and off the playing field. Barriers to this vision include lack of access to quality health care, education, and resources. To address the health disparities our athletes face, Special Olympics Health is leading a number of integrated and complementary efforts to strengthen the capacity of existing systems of care.

With more than 1.6 million free health examinations conducted in more than 130 countries, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program offers health services and information to athletes in dire need. As a result, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics North Carolina is doing its part to make sure North Carolina will be among the leaders in improving the health of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Our goal is to help our athletes lead healthy lives where they are accepted as productive and contributing members of their communities. To succeed in achieving this ambitious vision, we are assembling partners who also embrace it.

The School of Strength is a fitness video series in partnership with WWE for Special Olympics athletes, led by Special Olympics athletes!  It features four workout videos with varying levels of difficulty in flexibility, strength, balance and endurance exercises encouraging athletes to commit to a lifetime of fitness habits. Now, more than ever, all athletes, including those with intellectual disabilities need to keep their bodies fit and strong in a challenging routine. The videos are accompanied by downloadable interactive toolkits for coaches and caregivers that feature recipes, a fitness tracker, games and health tips.

Access the School of Strength resources here

• Staying Fit at Home: A simple week–long calendar that athletes can follow to stay fit.  This week–long calendar can be repeated as needed.   
• Fit 5 Guide: A guide based on the three simple goals of exercising 5 days per week, eating 5 total fruits and vegetables per day and drinking 5 water bottles of water. 
• Fit 5 Fitness Cards & Videos: These Fitness Cards & Videos offer exercises to challenge all abilities. The Fitness Cards exercises can be done at practice, at the gym, or even at home. 
• Fitness & Nutrition Tracker: Challenge your athletes to set daily goals of staying active and making healthy choices. 
• SOCO Fit 5 Facebook group for athletes and community members who are participating or interested in participating in the Fit 5 Challenge. This group is meant to be a resource with tips and tools to allow you to be successful during the Fit 5 Challenge. Feel free to post any questions you have relevant to the challenge and updates on your progress during the challenge. If you join make sure to introduce yourself (i.e. their name, program/state, sports they play, how they are staying healthy etc.)! 
• Fitness & Nutrition Tracker: Challenge your athletes to set daily goals of staying active and making healthy choices. A six-week digital tracker can be found here.
• School of Strength (NEW):  School of Strength is an interactive online platform that encourages athletes to participate in a fun and engaging training program that they can do in the comfort of their own homes.  Developed in partnership with WWE superstar Becky Lynch, this series of videos, a fitness tracker, a coach’s playbook and a caregiver toolkit all contribute to helping athletes focus on nutrition and fitness and getting the most out of their workouts.
• Free Virtual Fitness & Health Classes: This is a list of free live streaming or pre-recorded fitness and health classes that are being offered while the public is being asked to social distance.

• How to Handwash: A step by step visual guide on how to properly wash your hands created by the World Health Organization.  
• Proper Handwashing Techniques: A video lead by a Special Olympics Health Messenger teaching you how to properly wash your hands. 
• Stop the Spread of Germs: A visual showing how you can help stop germs from spreading created by the CDC.  

This can be a confusing and stressful time. Here are ways to help the anxiety and stress you may be feeling.

• Tips to Help with Stress: Special Olympics has developed a few tips to help manage emotions in stressful times. Take a second to try a few out! 
• Yoga Guide (PDF): A list of yoga poses that you can try at home.  

• Family Flash Cards: Fun and engaging flashcards featuring each of the individual activities and at home equipment modifications for families to use at home to run Young Athletes.
• Young Athletes At Home: Guide for families and caregivers on how to run Young Athletes activities at home.
• Young Athletes Videos: Videos demonstrating the individual Young Athletes activities.
• Healthy Play at Home: Poster for families to track the various healthy behaviors they do at home.