Helping special athletes compete on a level playing field
From Manilastandardtoday.com, 2 Sept 2007, by Angie V. Salanio, Gani Zulueta and Cristy Canizares-Gacuma:
In this age of amazing medical breakthroughs and wonder drugs, a segment of society still suffers from neglect and inattention: the intellectually disabled. More so that they now have the opportunity to participate in international sports competitions such as the Special Olympics, of which, the Summer World Games are scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11. Fortunately, a scion of the Kennedy family is spearheading the promotion of awareness and education of the world about health care disparities among individuals with intellectual disabilities.
During the games of the Special Olympics, contestants are given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International, dreams of a world where the intellectually disabled are treated equally in all aspects of life, not only in the field of sports but in the area of health care as well.
… As chairman of Special Olympics International, Shriver knows that the 2.5 million Special Olympic athletes face unnecessary challenges off the field that affect their very health and well being…
Shriver observed that the intellectually disabled are routinely denied access to care by dentists, surgeons, and psychologists. And when they do receive care, it is often “quick and dirty.” Both poverty and the lack of specialized medical services especially in developing countries such as the Philippines, further limit access to good medical treatment. The result is an underserved population suffering disproportionate health problems, and one that usually suffers in silence.
