The history of the Special Olympics is rooted in the vision and determination of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It all began in 1962 when she turned the backyard of a family property into a place for the neighborhood children who had been excluded from traditional recreational programs to gather and play. It ultimately grew into what is now recognized worldwide as the Special Olympics, which were formally established when Eunice Kennedy Shriver wrote the Special Olympic Oath just before the first International Special Olympics Games on July 20, 1968, in Chicago. The oath is recited by athletes during the Opening Ceremonies of each competition and serves as a reminder of their commitment to compete with their best effort and to exhibit bravery. This motto encapsulates the spirit of the organization, focusing on the importance of participation, effort, and personal growth over mere victory. It reflects the core values of the Special Olympics: inclusion, dignity, courage, and the celebration of athletes' abilities, regardless of the outcome of their competitions.

Optometry Joins the Special Olympics

For all of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s advocacy efforts after her sister Rosemary’s experiences in the 1940s and beyond, it was Dr. Paul Berman (PUCO 1975) who was instrumental in getting optometry involved in the Games. His passion, dedication, personal commitment, and money started what is now the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes and Healthy Athletes program. He had a vision of starting a truly unique program for an underserved population at a time when optometrists were just starting to expand their scope of practice. With no budget, he used his own money and personal contacts to fulfill his dream that ultimately has become the largest public health initiative for people with intellectual disabilities.

Optometry’s involvement in the Special Olympics began in 1995, when Healthy Eyes (later “Opening Eyes”) was the first and only profession in the Olympic Village where licensed Doctors of Optometry and volunteers examined the eyes of special needs athletes from all over the world. Due to Dr. Berman’s influence, dentistry followed, and today a total of 8 professions (optometry, dentistry, podiatry, audiology, nutrition, emotional health, pediatric screenings, and physical therapy) gather to provide on-site care, vision assessments, and prescription glasses at no charge for the athletes.

On-the-Ground Impact at the 1995 Games

At those 1995 International Games, with a group of other volunteer optometrists, I provided optometric care to athletes, many of whom had never received any vision care in their own countries. We did extensive testing, including retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, spatial testing, and more. Athletes were provided with prescription glasses (made on site by an optician. Frames and lenses are generously donated by companies including Liberty Sport, Essilor, and Safilo). Sports protection and PLO sunglasses were also provided at no charge when appropriate so every athlete received care and glasses. Referrals were made for conditions that required ongoing care.

The dedication and commitment of those early volunteer optometrists, like Dr. Sandra Block and Dr. Norm Einhorn, served to bolster optometry’s commitment to special needs athletes that Dr. Berman so passionately believed in. Today, there have been over 430,000 assessments worldwide, over 260,000 prescription eyeglasses provided, and over 500 trained clinical directors, not including the many Doctors of Optometry and volunteers.¹ These numbers represent lives changed, barriers removed, and athletes who are empowered to compete safely and confidently.

A Memorable Encounter with Eunice Shriver

In 1995, at my first International Special Olympics, I was testing spatial orientation in a small black cloth enclosure inside a large tent with numerous testing stations filled with athletes. Those athletes moved through each testing area, which were manned by doctors and volunteers. Many of the athletes had never received any vision care or testing, let alone prescription glasses. It was in the middle of a scorching hot day in New Haven, Connecticut, where I was testing 2 athletes at a time, when Mrs. Eunice Shriver along with the press and her team, stopped to observe. She asked if I was an optometrist, where I was from, and who paid for us to be there. I told her I was a California optometrist with a solo private practice and I was part of the optometric team who came at our own expense. She turned to her aide and asked, “What are we doing for these optometrists?” Learning the answer was “nothing”, she immediately insisted we be invited to that evening’s formal event where Sargent Shriver was presenting a major donation to the program. It was a wonderful evening and we were so honored to be included, even though we were incredibly underdressed (still wearing our work clothes). Certainly, it was an evening to remember as part of the unique role our profession played in what is now a worldwide program for special needs athletes.

Recent Games and Continued Involvement

To date, the United States has hosted 17 of the 30 International Special Olympic Games and this year I volunteered again with many other optometrists at the US Games in Minneapolis, from June 20 to 26. The Law Enforcement Officers Torch Run carried the torch from coast to coast and ended at The Opening Ceremony in Minneapolis. Athletes participated in 16 separate Olympic sports venues and optometry was again part of the Healthy Athletes venue, with Lions Club International Opening Eyes, along with the other disciplines named above. Special Olympics USA had 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, some 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from all over the country. Doctors of Optometry and volunteers tested near and far vision, stereopsis, color vision, autorefraction, intraocular pressure, external and nondilated exam, and refraction with corrective lenses if needed.

Here are a few pictures from this year's Games:

Health Challenges Revealed by the Data

The data presented by the International Special Olympics is almost overwhelming. In vision alone, a significant number of athletes require protective eyewear, a staggering 36% need new prescription eyewear, 19% have never had an eye exam, 16% have an eye disease, and 15% present with untreated ocular health conditions.¹

At least 8% have a permanent hearing loss, 25% suffer from untreated tooth decay (including 1 in 2 who are in need of urgent dental care), low bone density, overweight issues, difficulty with strength and flexibility, and skin or nail conditions.¹ These are among the health issues that are addressed during the Healthy Athletes screenings.

The next summer International Olympics will be held in Santiago in 2027 for the first time, and the winter International Olympics will be held in 2029 in Switzerland.

A Lasting Legacy

What started out as a small home-centered gathering for special needs children has grown to help provide care for underserved individuals who were once subjected to outdated and offensive labels. Today, we recognize these athletes as part of the broader community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom have Down syndrome. Because of Dr. Berman, not only did optometry play the leading role as the only profession to initially join in caring for these athletes, but he was also the one to encourage our sister professions to join the Healthy Athletes team of volunteers. What a truly remarkable legacy one of our own has left for generations of doctors, volunteers, and special needs individuals.

Optometry’s contribution to the Special Olympics is not symbolic—it is measurable, global, and transformative for the many athletes, coaches, and citizen and professional volunteers alike who gather as a team to help individuals with intellectual disabilities be all that they can be. OM

A heartfelt thank-you to our vision care partners for their continued support and generosity, including Special Olympics Lions Club International Foundation, Safilo Group, The Golisano Foundation, One Sight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, and Optometry Giving Sight. Their commitment makes it possible for us to reach athletes worldwide who might otherwise never receive essential vision care.

A special-thank you as well to Sally Stein, Licensed Optician and Senior Clinical Program Manager Opening Eyes, whose exceptional leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the success of the Opening Eyes Special Olympics program.

Reference

1. International Special Olympics, data on file.