By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG
CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – Special Olympics Philippines (SOP) through Dr. Carmen
Abesamis-Dichoso, chairman of Healthy Athletes Program will conduct a Healthy
Athletes Screening and Family Forum for those who are intellectually disabled
on February 7, 2016 at the Conference Room of Corazon C. Aquino Hospital,
located at the 3rd floor.
Special Olympics Philippines
is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community,
where every single person is accepted and welcomed,
regardless of ability or disability.
This organizationaims to provide year-round sports
training and athletic competition in a variety of olympic-type sports for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing
opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy
and participate in sharing of gifts,
skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community.
Some
of the projects of this Healthy Athletes Program are the “opening eyes”, “special
smiles”, “healthy hearing”, “fit feet”, “fun fitness” and family forum.
Accordingly,
intellectually disabled persons include those who have Down syndrome, autism,
slow learners with an intelligence quotient (IQ) of less than 70, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder.
Meanwhile,
the Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP) - Zamboanga del Norte
Societythrough Dr. Bernadeth S. Fellazar will spearhead the “opening eyes”
project during the said event.