Lions Club International and Special Olympics team up on family health

Thanks to a grant from Special Olympics Inc. and Lions Club International, Special Olympics Wisconsin is able to provide Family Health Forums free to its athletes, as well as their parents, adult siblings, guardians, and all individuals from the community.

Family Health Forums
Tuesday, September 1st at 7pm
Emotional Wellness
Presenter: Amy Yonker, Strong Minds Clinical Director
View the recording HERE

Tuesday, September 8th at 7pm
Fitness at Home
Presenter: Brittany Hoegh, Director of Health Programs

“Emotional wellness and fitness are more important now than ever before. In this uncertain time, we can choose to let the negativity of the world overcome us, or we can equip ourselves with the knowledge to make the most of the situation we are given both emotionally and physically.” – Brittany Hoegh, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Director of Health Programs

Strong Minds Clinical Director Amy Yonker talks with an athlete at the 2019 Summer Games

These online forums taking place via Zoom are designed to engage families and their communities to broaden their knowledge of health and wellness as they relate to individuals with intellectual disabilities and families in general.

We’re in the midst of a once-in-a-generation pandemic that has upended many aspects of daily life. In this context, the Family Health Forums are especially relevant, for Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and supporters alike.

“Emotional wellness and fitness are more important now than ever before. In this uncertain time, we can choose to let the negativity of the world overcome us, or we can equip ourselves with the knowledge to make the most of the situation we are given both emotionally and physically,” said Brittany Hoegh, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Director of Health Programs.

Family Health Forums are designed by the community to meet their local needs, and topics discussed over the years include diabetes prevention, fitness, oral health, HIV/AIDS prevention, navigating the health system, and access to health. Since 2013, over 45,000 individuals around the world have participated in Special Olympics Family Health Forum’s funded by Lions Clubs International.

“The Family Health Forum is a great opportunity for family members and caregivers of athletes to learn right alongside their loved ones about the importance of health and wellness,” Hoegh said. “Participants will learn about new tools and resources that can be used to improve the emotional and physical wellness of not only their loved ones, but themselves as well.”

To protect the safety and privacy of our participants, the Virtual Family Health Forums will be conducted in private Zoom meetings. Only those who pre-register will receive a password protected link to access the Virtual Family Health Forums. Please fill out this form to register for one or both of the Virtual Family Health Forums.