Clearer Vision, Brighter Futures: Thank You Loudon Lions Club
At this year’s Special Olympics New Hampshire State Summer Games, we were proud to welcome a brand-new partner to our Healthy Athletes® offerings — vision screenings courtesy of the Loudon Lions Club. Their dedicated volunteers generously offered free vision screenings to athletes, helping ensure that every competitor had the chance to see their best and shine on the playing field.
The Loudon Lions showed up in full force, bringing passion, expertise, and care to our event. For our athletes, this was an opportunity to receive a professional vision screening, opening the door to better health and improved performance. We are incredibly grateful for their time, energy, and commitment, and we look forward to building this partnership for years to come.
Healthy Athletes: Building Stronger, Healthier Lives
The Loudon Lions’ vision screenings joined our three official Healthy Athletes® disciplines:
- FUNFitness (physical therapy screenings to improve strength, flexibility, and balance)
- Special Smiles (dental screenings and education on oral health)
- Healthy Hearing (hearing screenings and resources to address potential loss)
These programs are designed to fill a critical gap. Despite a common belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or even better health care than others, the reality is very different. In fact, Special Olympics data shows:
- 2 in 10 athletes have never had an eye exam
- 4 in 10 need a new prescription for glasses
- 2 in 10 have potential hearing loss
- 4 in 10 have untreated tooth decay, and 1–2 urgently need dental care
- 2–3 in 10 have low bone density
- 6 in 10 are overweight or obese and at risk for chronic health conditions
- 5 in 10 face problems with strength, and 6 in 10 with flexibility—placing them at risk for injury
- 5 in 10 have at least one kind of skin or nail condition
The impact of these screenings cannot be overstated. Healthy Athletes has discovered undetected health issues, alleviated pain, and provided essential health services that would otherwise be unavailable to thousands of athletes worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to the Loudon Lions Club, more New Hampshire athletes now have access to additional resources that support their vision health, helping them live and compete at their best. Partnerships like this make our Healthy Athletes program stronger, and we are excited to continue working together to bring inclusive health opportunities to every corner of the Granite State.
