Special Olympics is world’s largest sports organization for the people with intellectual abilities. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will be the host of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Physiotherapy students of College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University participated as volunteers where they were trained to screen the athletes on their Aerobic Capacity, Balance, Endurance, Flexibility and Range of motion assessment and strengthening and educating athletes with intellectual abilities according to required needs on 30 September and 01 October 2017 at Abu Dhabi market square. The event was in partnership with CDC [Center for Disease Control] USA.
Student Testimony
The fact that we were different people from different places coming as one to assess the athletes left an impact on me. Seeing the special needs athletes so full of life and determination alongside me being able to help them in such a little way, is one memory I won’t forget.- Hauwa Achimugu 2014PT04
It was a great experience being a part of pioneer volunteers for the Special Olympics screening session held for the first time in a gulf country in Abu Dhabi on 1st oct 2017. This experience not only helped us to work with special athletes but developed a sense of compassion and confidence to work in a community that screens these individuals. Working as a team with people from different backgrounds as well as the art of communicating and conveying the message to intellectually challenged athlete comes from experience, and we the students of BPT got to experience it. – Maheen Munaf 2014PT18
