Champion Inclusion: Special Olympics Community Outreach

According to Dr. Erin Sherman primary care optometrist at The Eye Institute (TEI), Salus at Drexel University, 15 TEI optometric interns and optometrists, volunteered for the largest Special Olympics event, which was held Nov. 2, 2024, at Villanova University. The group screened 170 special Olympic athletes. 

In addition, there were 19 audiology students and two audiologists from the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) that participated in the event, according to PEI’s director, Dr. Lindsay Bondurant. 

The Salus/Drexel optometry group worked closely with the Lions Club of Bensalem to conduct vision screenings and this year, students from the pre-optometry club at Villanova also joined the group. 

Dr. Sherman added about 140 pairs of glasses were ordered and about 30 pairs of sunglasses were distributed to the athletes. All patient information was collected and put into the medical records maintained by Special Olympics annually, with the hope of decreasing the disparity in access to health for people with intellectual disabilities. 

This year’s event also celebrated 15,000 screenings done collectively since 2007 over different disciplines, including audiology, optometry, podiatry, dentistry, fitness, and mental health. Also present at the celebration were representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with other organizations that support the Special Olympics. 

“With each event, my spirits are lifted by the enthusiasm of our students, the kindness of our clinical volunteers, and the gratitude of the athletes and their families,” said Dr. Bondurant, who was volunteering at her 23rd Special Olympics event. “All of the Healthy Athletes programs have grown with the support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and I'm already looking forward to seeing the athletes again next year.”