#InclusiveHealth in Action!
Every day, Special Olympics is building an inclusive world—in sports, in the workplace, in health!
People with intellectual disabilities lack access to quality health care. That’s why it’s time to Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion!
Health injustice is real. Our athletes are fighting health disparities—urging all to see the person first, not the disability.
Learn why inclusive health is needed and how you can help. Check back each week for new videos and stories showing how people with intellectual disabilities can lead us all to better fitness and better health.
People with intellectual disabilities lack access to quality health care. That’s why it’s time to Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion!
Health injustice is real. Our athletes are fighting health disparities—urging all to see the person first, not the disability.
Learn why inclusive health is needed and how you can help. Check back each week for new videos and stories showing how people with intellectual disabilities can lead us all to better fitness and better health.
When Joyce had trouble walking, her parents were given the following advice to straighten her bones: dig a hole in the ground, put Joyce in it, pack it with soil. Joyce stood in the hole, week after week. Education and awareness are vital in ending health disparities children like Joyce face. Sign our pledge today! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying at higher rates during COVID-19. Now, more than ever, healthcare providers need to make their practices more inclusive. See the person, not the disability. Sign the pledge! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
Hear from Karen, who sees the urgent need for acceptance and inclusion: for her daughter—and for every child with intellectual disability. Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion and sign our pledge today! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
When Fahsai Saejang was born, her diagnosis—Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart—came as a shock. Inclusive health and fitness changed everything for this young athlete! Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
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Inclusive health is not an option, it’s a must! Special Olympics Chief Health Officer, Dr. Alicia Bazzano, says it best “We are out to ERASE health disparities.” Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion and sign our pledge today!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying on average 16 – 20 years sooner than the general population—due to preventable health conditions. See the person, not the disability. Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
Inclusion Works
Filmer Tan had many health challenges growing up, but they only motivated him to succeed. Now he’s motivating us all! #ChooseToInclude athletes like Filmer. Sign the pledge @WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
Abdou grew up in a community with strong stigma around children born with intellectual disabilities. Now, he’s known as hard-worker and an accomplished role model—proving that Inclusion Works! #ChooseToInclude! Sign the Inclusion Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org.
Brina faced many obstacles in early life, but she never gave up on her dream of being included. Today, she is a teacher, public speaker, and role model to all! #ChooseToInclude talented athletes like Brina. Sign the pledge @ WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
Inclusion In Action
#InclusiveHealth in Action!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying on average 16 years sooner than the general population—due to preventable health conditions. Don’t leave people with ID behind during this critical time: Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
As we move forward, we need to know you’re with us. Be a revolutionary and help end discrimination against people with Intellectual Disabilities.
INCLUSION WORKS!
Andrew is a Special Olympics athlete and marathon runner, who’s become a coach. He’s worked hard to stay in great shape—and won’t let a pandemic lockdown get in the way of his training. See how he’s training other athletes, like Marcelo, to learn stamina and endurance, despite the quarantine and other restrictions.
Kiera is an unstoppable Special Olympics athlete, World Games medalist, and athlete leader from northwest England. Yet COVID-19 did stop her trainings and competitions, plus kept her away from her friends and fellow athletes. Isolation can be tough, but Kiera knew it wasn’t just tough on her. She encourages her athlete friends—and everyone else—to stay fit, despite the lockdown!
Michel needed a job to support his mother and siblings. He had some skills, but needed to learn a lot more to become a versatile auto mechanic. He also needed to adapt to working and communicating with a variety of people. The discipline he learned through team sports also helped. Thanks to his hard work, Michel is now a valued employee, as this brief glimpse shows.
From the very start, Lily had big dreams—and determination! She’s a trail-blazing young talent, who also happens to have Down syndrome. Still in her teens, she’s become a popular model & actress, most recently appearing on the Netflix series, “Never Have I Ever.” Here, she shares some tips for anyone else determined to follow their dreams.
Youssef saw his friends beaten and bullied, then he was beaten and bullied—all because they have intellectual disabilities. Instead of giving up, he became determined to show the world that people with ID can do anything ”if only we are given the chance.” In his own words, he inspires us to grab every opportunity to succeed, because “we are ALL able.”
Novie had a rough start, abandoned at birth in an inner-city hospital. Then Kelly stopped by her crib—and adopted Novie soon after. They’ve been together ever since! When Kelly fell seriously ill last year, landing her in the ICU before Christmas, Novie didn’t know how to cope. Here, she shares how she handled the crisis.
Be a Champion of Inclusion
Inclusive Health
Over 80% of healthcare providers are not professionally trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Yet, people with ID are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Learn More!
In Africa and elsewhere, Special Olympics conducts crucial outreach to help spread understanding about people with intellectual disabilities. This overcomes harsh stigma and brings new awareness among caregivers and others working with this vulnerable population. Here's just a glimpse into how this has brought new hope to Joyce, a young girl in Uganda.
INCLUSION IN ACTION
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INCLUSION IN ACTION
By playing, learning and leading together, we are creating an inclusive and welcoming world for all.
Special Olympics athletes are leading this peaceful revolution. See their stories and heartfelt insights from schools to playing fields across the globe:
Special Olympics athletes are leading this peaceful revolution. See their stories and heartfelt insights from schools to playing fields across the globe:
Champions in Action
In 2019, Special Olympics held the largest, most inclusive World Games in our history. With nearly 7,000 athletes from 200 nations, the World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates were also our most unified and diverse. Meet just a few of those athletes—from all seven regions of the world—and see their incredible stories:
