Special Olympics Kentucky will hold its Third Annual MedFest event on Wednesday October 24 at Slugger Field in Louisville.
MedFest is a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes screening program that facilitates the required standard sports physical examination for current and prospective Special Olympics athletes. First conceived at the Special Olympics Program in Chicago , Illinois , USA , MedFest is now being developed for implementation throughout the movement.
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A student receives a dental exam at the 2006 MedFest in Louisville |
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The 2006 Louisville MedFest served nearly 400 Jefferson County School children. Many more are expected to attend this year.
This year's MedFest will also include a visit from a very special dignitary -- Special Olympcis Inc. Chair Tim Shriver will be in attendace early in the day.
The Special Olympics rules require that all athletes who want to participate in Special Olympics must be examined by a physician or trained medical professional who completes the “medical certification” section of the Athlete Registration Form. With the help of local volunteer health care professionals, MedFest provides thousands of people with intellectual disabilities the chance to participate in year-round Special Olympics sports training and athletic competition. In 2004, MedFest examinations led to the registration of more than 7,500 new Special Olympics athletes around the world.
The physical examinations at MedFest are conducted by volunteer medical professionals and are free to current and prospective athletes. Exams include:
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registration and assessments of medical history;
- height and weight;
- blood pressure;
- cardiovascular;
- abdominal;
- musculoskeletal evaluation; and
- check-out/referral for follow-up care.
MedFest exams also address questions and concerns of athletes’ parents and guardians.
Advance registration is required to receive a physical and screenings at MedFest. Because of time and space constraints, walk-ups cannot be accommodated. If you would like to receive registration information for or more information about the MedFest event, please contact Mary Dee Boemker at the Special Olympics Kentucky office by calling 800-633-7403or via e-mail at mdboemker@soky.org, respectively.
