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Since the beginning,
Special Olympics has been widely known
to the world as a sports organization,
serving its population through
year-round sports training and competitions.
As the movement matured,
Special Olympics assessed how to boost
athlete experience and performance.
Health emerged as a critical underlying factor.
As these health issues came to light,
it became evident that there were
few advocates focused on the health and
well-being of people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics learned that our athletes
were not obtaining proper healthcare,
something had to be done.
And we were there to lead the charge.
Special Olympics Lions Club International
Opening Eyes conducts thorough vision
screenings and provides free eye glasses.
Healthy Athlete services have transformed
the lives of Special Olympics athletes,
enhance their health and fitness
and have been invaluable in providing
the ultimate sports experience.
The vision of the Special Olympics movement
is to change the world through sports,
to give our athletes the chance to become
great champions and to challenge
everyone else to create communities
of hope and dignity and acceptance for all.
Opening Eyes is a key element of the
Special Olympics movement.
Opening Eyes provides quality vision
screenings, prescription eyewear and
appropriate referrals to Special Olympics athletes,
while at the same time, providing
important educational opportunities
for vision care professionals and students
all over the world.
Funded with a generous grant from
the Lions Club International Foundation
and corporate sponsors like Essilor
and Safilo, this service is provided at
no cost to the athletes or their families.
It is a tremendous service to the athletes
and to the larger cause of health
and dignity for all.
Special Olympics provides opportunities
for athletes to run, to jump, to swim,
to compete,
and now, thanks to you, to see.
Thank You.