ARLINGTON – All Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) athletes will have the opportunity to receive free healthcare exams on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, during SOTX’s Summer Games, presented by TD Ameritrade and the Knights of Columbus, at UT-Arlington. The screenings are generously provided by local practitioners and healthcare providers involved with SOTX’s Healthy Athletes® program, which is the world’s largest provider of medical services to people with intellectual disabilities. Health insurance is not required for an athlete to receive these services.

All SOTX athletes, whether competing in a Summer Games sport or not, are strongly urged to stop by “Wellness Park” (300 W. First St., Arlington, TX 76013) to take advantage of free vision, hearing and dental exams offered through the “Opening Eyes”, “Healthy Hearing” and “Special Smiles” disciplines, respectively. Wellness Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Trained medical professionals will be onsite to screen SOTX athletes’ general wellness in a fun, relaxing environment. The athletes will also be provided with information to keep them healthy and competing at their very best.

“Our providers love to be around the athletes,” Director of Field Services Norm Arias said. “Our goal is to have every athlete competing or attending our Summer Games to stop by and be screened for at least three of the six disciplines being offered. It’s a free service, so you definitely want to take the time to come out.”

Other disciplines that will be provided include: “Health Promotions”, “MedFest” and “Strong Mind, Strong Bodies.”

Health Promotions provides athletes with information on making healthy lifestyle choices through nutritious foods, physical activity and avoiding tobacco and overexposure to the sun.

MedFest exams consist of vitals (blood pressure, height and weight), cardiology, abdominal, and musculoskeletal checks. This discipline provides athletes with a free Athlete Medical, which is required for an athlete to participate in SOTX.

Strong Mind, Strong Bodies provides information about stress, stress management/techniques, and ways to improve overall mental health and wellness. The core components include: thinking good thoughts, breathing and stretching techniques, stress relief techniques, and creating a plan to keep a “strong mind".For more information about the disciplines being offered or the Healthy Athletes® program, contact Norm Arias (narias@sotx.org) at 512.491.2935.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 55,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.