An Interview with … International Global Messenger Jessica Crook By Garrie Barnes, Special Olympics Maryland Athlete and Special Olympics Inc. Employee Jessica Crook, International Global Messenger for Special Olympics. In May, Special Olympics International Global Messenger and Special Olympics Indiana athlete Jessica Crook attended a Healthy Athletes Train-the-Trainer event held in Toronto, Ontario, during Special Olympics Ontario's 2007 Provincial Floor Hockey Championships to gain a better understanding of what Healthy Athletes is and how the program helps athletes. Six of the seven Healthy Athletes disciplines were represented and more than 60 volunteers from North America were trained to conduct screenings in their communities. Jessica, who is representing Team USA as a member of the aquatics team at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, is educating people around the world about Healthy Athletes as part of her platform. The interview questions below were prepared by Garrie Barnes, Special Olympics Maryland athlete and Special Olympics Inc. employee. What do you remember most about going through the Healthy Athletes screenings? I remember going through Opening Eyes, having my eyes checked and getting new, free glasses. I think it's great that we have Opening Eyes because some of the athletes can't afford going to the eye doctor or any other doctor, so it's a chance for the Special Olympics athletes to get screened when they come to the Healthy Athletes venue. And I went to the Fit Feet venue; that was very interesting, because [the doctor found something] on the bottom of my heel on my foot, and they told me what was wrong and to go get it checked out. Let me tell you, I did, and my heel feels a lot better. So if athletes have problems with their feet or ankles, that would be the place to go [or to just get checked out even if they don't think they have a problem]. At least the doctors or volunteers can give the athletes or their parents advice. Healthy Athletes Update  • Vice President's Corner  • Spotlight • Two Years in the Blink of an Eye • Timothy Shriver Receives 2007 Humanitarian Award from Lions Clubs International • Sometimes, We Forget About Other People….. The Lions Clubs International NEVER FORGETS! • Healthy Athletes Provider Directory Opens to Public on 20 July • Healthy Athletes Health Spot Pilot Tested in Missouri • Student Grant Spotlight: A Med Student Explores Current Tools for Diagnosing Autism • An Interview with…International Global Messenger Jessica Crook By Garrie Barnes, Special Olympics Maryland Athlete and Special Olympics Inc. Employee • Newsbytes • Success Stories What did you get out of the screenings? I learned a lot going through the screenings, especially at the Health Promotion station. I was amazed to see how all the doctors and the others that are becoming doctors were interested in doing Healthy Athletes, and I think they did a great job screening me. How helpful were the volunteers, and what do you think they need to understand athletes and be more helpful? I think the volunteers were great! I just hope they will do it [implement their respective Healthy Athletes disciplines] in their states. I know Jennifer from Indiana did Opening Eyes at my Summer Games in June. I don't have any advice for the volunteers, because I think they did a great job. International Global Messenger and Special Olympics Indiana Athlete Jessica Crook gets her eyes checked at the Opening Eyes screening at the Healthy Athletes Train-the-Trainer event held in Toronto, Canada. Return to Healthy Athletes Update, Summer 2007