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Aldis Berzins, Special Olympics employee and member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team, shows athletes the correct techniques for volleyball and practiced a few basic drills with them as part of the Health Spot Sports Skill Development station. |
The Special Olympics Missouri (USA) Summer Games in June had a unique and fun feature this summer, the Healthy Athletes Health Spot. Health Spot is the brainchild of Kester Edwards, a former aquatics athlete from Special Olympics Trinidad & Tobago and Special Olympics International Global Messenger (Class of 1998-2000), and now an integral member of the Healthy Athletes team at Special Olympics Inc. Edward's idea was to create a healthy environment for athletes to wait in while their teammates were participating in Healthy Athletes screenings.
The Missouri Health Spot pilot is a prime example of collaboration at its best - from the team assembled to plan and implement the pilot to the on-the-ground assistance and volunteers who made the Health Spot happen. With the success of the Missouri Summer Games, Edwards plans to conduct one or two additional pilots in 2008. Stay tuned for additional Health Spot news.
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A Special Olympics Missouri athlete practices his hand/eye coordination as part of Health Spot's Hand/Eye Skills Development station. |
In His Own Words: Kester Edwards Reflects on the First Health Spot Pilot
Health Spot: sports vision (Dr. Susan Danberg, sport vision coordinator), volleyball skills and tips (coordinated by Aldis Berzins, Special Olympics employee and member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team that won the gold medal in Los Angeles, California) and a cross-training area (Meg Dimsa, strength and conditioning coordinator at the University of Missouri). The goal was to have health and sports together as a tool to give tips on training and how the athletes can work out at home. The Health Spot had 230 visitors that included athletes, coaches and families. The volunteers consisted primarily of university students; the University of Missouri students were fitness trainers in different areas.
The Health Spot is a new concept to help athletes in their personal best by learning new techniques. Families, coaches and even the athletes who attended commented that they loved the time frame and the idea of making the Healthy Athletes Park the center of all activities.
Aldis Berzins, Special Olympics employee and member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team, shows athletes the correct techniques for volleyball and practiced a few basic drills with them as part of the Health Spot Sports Skill Development station.
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