This summer, Special Olympics International and Special Olympics Noord -Amerika (Sona), and in collaboration with Special Olympics Kansasworked together to host two Special Olympics Health Messenger Training sessions in Washington, DC and Kansas City, KS. These sessions offered Special Olympics athletes of programs in the United States the opportunity to become health workers. In both sessions, 26 athletes from 10 different states took part and were certified as Health Messengers.
Health ownership are athletes who have been trained to serve as leaders of health and well -being, educators, proponents and role models within their communities. Since its foundation in 2016, the Health Messenger program of Special Olympics has trained more than 5,000 athletes to take on these roles. As Health Messengers, athletes inform their communities about leading a healthier life and inspiring professionals, health and care policymakers, policy makers and others about how they can support the health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disorders (idd).
People with idd are confronted with many continuous barriers to access to quality assurance, resulting in poorer health results than the general public. As a result, people with idd die 16 to 20 years earlier than people without idd. The Health Messenger program from Special Olympics reflects the slogan of the Global Disability Rights Movement “nothing about us” by ensuring that athletes like health mixers play a leading role in expressing the importance of fair health policy and practices.
In the course of a weekend, athletes were trained in various health -related topics, including the role and responsibilities of health workers, the health differences in which people with idd are confronted, the importance of physical activity, nutrition, emotional health and the best practices for health communication. Together these sessions athletes offered an extensive insight into how they could maintain their own health and support the well -being of others through trust in conversations about the health needs of people with idd. When asked for a collection meal of the DC training session, Health Messenger Alex Beauchner van Special Olympics New Hampshire Part, “We need help with access to health care – we are all good leaders, but we all have to support each other.”
Health Messengers then shared their activation plans and further goals with the group. Health Messenger Daniel Hewitt van Special Olympics Kentucky Part, “My goal is to help my colleague athletes manage stress so that spirits will remain strong. I will train fellow athletes with regard to stress lighting techniques. I will make flyers with stress lighting techniques, make social media messages and show positive stress lighting.”
Other plans include the development of an accessible educational video series about healthy habits to share at school and supporting fellow athletes from Special Olympics with navigating through stress and mental health. Every Health Messengers left the training feeling inspired to take action and to lead their communities to a healthier future.
More information about becoming a Health Messenger by viewing our Health Messenger Page or by contacting your local program.
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