1 00:00:03,044 --> 00:00:05,505 Special Olympics creates a welcoming space 2 00:00:05,505 --> 00:00:07,716 to provide health education for families 3 00:00:07,716 --> 00:00:09,759 of those with intellectual disabilities 4 00:00:09,759 --> 00:00:11,845 through Family Health Forums. 5 00:00:11,845 --> 00:00:14,556 Family Health Forums are designed to offer an environment 6 00:00:14,556 --> 00:00:17,142 where parents and caregivers can gain direct access 7 00:00:17,142 --> 00:00:20,770 to health information, resources, and support. 8 00:00:20,770 --> 00:00:25,150 Family Health Forums are fantastic, 9 00:00:25,150 --> 00:00:30,071 one-day, weekend series of events 10 00:00:30,071 --> 00:00:33,742 with the goal of providing health education 11 00:00:33,742 --> 00:00:38,288 to our athletes, our families, and our coaches. 12 00:00:38,288 --> 00:00:42,333 The whole idea is to provide education 13 00:00:42,333 --> 00:00:44,586 but also to provide resources, 14 00:00:44,586 --> 00:00:47,047 people in their community that they can connect with 15 00:00:47,047 --> 00:00:49,924 if they want to learn more, if they want to take action, 16 00:00:49,924 --> 00:00:52,844 different opportunities to maybe try foods 17 00:00:52,844 --> 00:00:55,305 that they haven't been exposed to before 18 00:00:55,305 --> 00:00:58,224 or coupons to their local grocery store 19 00:00:58,224 --> 00:01:02,604 where they're able to then purchase healthier foods. 20 00:01:02,604 --> 00:01:05,774 We got introduced to the Healthy Forums. 21 00:01:05,774 --> 00:01:09,944 They had somebody talking on nutritional eating. 22 00:01:09,944 --> 00:01:12,989 I learned cooking skills 23 00:01:12,989 --> 00:01:16,326 and also learned the fact by reading labels. 24 00:01:16,326 --> 00:01:17,827 I think it's really important 25 00:01:17,827 --> 00:01:21,289 that they just continue to have these kind of Health Forums. 26 00:01:21,289 --> 00:01:26,294 I think the trend is that these young people 27 00:01:26,336 --> 00:01:27,921 want to be healthy 28 00:01:27,921 --> 00:01:31,549 and that they want to be independent. 29 00:01:31,549 --> 00:01:34,302 I attended a workshop on intellectual disability 30 00:01:34,302 --> 00:01:36,429 from which I learned 31 00:01:36,429 --> 00:01:41,434 about different myths regarding intellectual disabilities. 32 00:01:41,476 --> 00:01:45,396 And I learned home-based management tips for myself 33 00:01:45,396 --> 00:01:47,982 and for my children and for my family. 34 00:01:47,982 --> 00:01:52,028 I learned a lot about the Family Health Program 35 00:01:52,028 --> 00:01:53,488 for Special Olympics 36 00:01:54,405 --> 00:01:57,325 because the support that they give to families 37 00:01:58,201 --> 00:02:00,078 with the health programs, 38 00:02:00,078 --> 00:02:03,832 with social services as well, 39 00:02:03,832 --> 00:02:05,416 and with nutrition 40 00:02:05,416 --> 00:02:08,419 and also with the development of the child. 41 00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:12,882 We also take the kids for development 42 00:02:12,882 --> 00:02:17,887 and for eye testing, dentistry services as well. 43 00:02:18,096 --> 00:02:20,306 So, it is very much helpful. 44 00:02:21,474 --> 00:02:23,393 I remember them saying that it's important 45 00:02:23,393 --> 00:02:26,020 about eating fruit and eating your vegetables 46 00:02:26,020 --> 00:02:29,941 and make sure that you end up drinking a lot of water. 47 00:02:29,941 --> 00:02:32,277 We talk about stress. 48 00:02:32,277 --> 00:02:33,778 And how to handle it 49 00:02:33,778 --> 00:02:35,029 and how to talk about it. 50 00:02:35,029 --> 00:02:37,115 And we also learned 51 00:02:37,115 --> 00:02:40,493 that just doing some exercise every day really helps. 52 00:02:40,493 --> 00:02:43,955 So, we try to walk or go to the gym. 53 00:02:43,955 --> 00:02:47,625 The Special Olympics Health Forum helped me a lot 54 00:02:47,625 --> 00:02:49,544 about physical and mental 55 00:02:49,544 --> 00:02:52,547 and other information and guidance. 56 00:02:53,715 --> 00:02:57,177 That helped me a lot about how to handle my son 57 00:02:57,177 --> 00:02:58,845 and even by myself. 58 00:02:58,845 --> 00:03:00,805 Not only Josh but the rest of the athletes 59 00:03:00,805 --> 00:03:03,183 that I had the opportunity to coach as well, 60 00:03:03,183 --> 00:03:05,518 they would text me or send me pictures 61 00:03:05,518 --> 00:03:07,061 of something that they're eating 62 00:03:07,061 --> 00:03:08,354 compared to what they shouldn't be eating. 63 00:03:08,354 --> 00:03:10,273 So it definitely, 64 00:03:10,273 --> 00:03:12,942 the forum definitely hit their long-term memory 65 00:03:12,942 --> 00:03:14,777 and it made an impact on them. 66 00:03:14,777 --> 00:03:18,489 Not pushing them but to just kinda giving them the idea 67 00:03:18,489 --> 00:03:20,950 that there is a smarter way 68 00:03:20,950 --> 00:03:23,077 or a better way to follow this 69 00:03:23,077 --> 00:03:26,539 so you have longevity with your life and your body. 70 00:03:26,539 --> 00:03:30,126 Family Health Forums, the content is very important, 71 00:03:30,126 --> 00:03:32,420 but the connection is equally as important. 72 00:03:32,420 --> 00:03:35,381 So, seeing other families that, you know, 73 00:03:35,381 --> 00:03:39,219 might have similar struggles or similar successes 74 00:03:39,219 --> 00:03:43,264 in their health and wellness journey with their child, 75 00:03:43,264 --> 00:03:46,059 being able to throw around ideas, 76 00:03:46,059 --> 00:03:48,519 create a space for discussion, 77 00:03:48,519 --> 00:03:52,273 and offer really a whole day devoted 78 00:03:52,273 --> 00:03:54,776 to the importance of health and well-being, 79 00:03:54,776 --> 00:03:57,987 especially in our disability community.