NORMAL, Ill.
– Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) has been named 2011 Special Olympics Illinois Outstanding Organization of the Year.
Dr. Sandy Block and Dr. Christine Allison accepted the award on behalf of ICO at a reception held on June 10 before the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremonies at Illinois State University in Normal.
The Outstanding Organization Award recognizes a club, business or organization whose efforts have significantly improved the Special Olympics Illinois athletes’ experiences either locally or statewide.
ICO has volunteered its time and efforts to Special Olympics Illinois (SO ILL) for the past 11 years. It is because of ICO that the Opening Eyes program has become a part of SO ILL. The organization provides free eye screenings to an average of 240 athletes each year. They have handed out over 2,520 prescription glasses and 630 sports goggles so far.
The Opening Eyes program is invaluable to the athletes and their families. Many of the athletes have struggled with vision problems for years due to lack of good medical care and because of the unique challenges that accompany providing accurate vision screenings for various athletes.
Many doctors who attend the Summer Games bring their students, not only to encourage their participation with Opening Eyes, but to increase their knowledge on screening athletes with disabilities. “This is the first time some of the athletes have seen clearly in years,” according to Jeremy Davidson, nominator of this organization.
SO ILL Summer Games is not the only event ICO supports. They also do screenings at Chicago MedFest and worked in conjunction with the Lions International conference in 2007. ICO has worked with Special Olympics programs in other states to make the Opening Eyes program a reality for them too.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 6,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics changes lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.