Image
Fit Feet helps Special Olympics athletes step lively on the playing field, and in everyday life. Many athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. Often, these individuals are not fitted with the best shoes, insoles and socks for their particular sport. To alleviate these problems, volunteer podiatrists work with athletes to evaluate problems of the feet, ankles and lower extremity biomechanics.  Athletes receive recommendations on how they can improve their footwear, and often receive a pair of fitted insoles.  The screening also offers foot care professionals and students the opportunity to work with people with intellectual disabilities in an effort to improve their practical skills in working with this population.
Image

DERMATOLOGIC EVALUATION

Image
NEUROLOGIC EVALUATION
Image
MEASUREMENTS AND SIZING
Image
MUSCULOSKELETAL EVALUATION
Image
BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION
Image
GAIT EVALUATION
Want to volunteer at a Healthy Athletes event? Professionals and students in the following or related fields are eligible to assist with Fit Feet screenings: Physiotherapy and Podiatric Medicine. Contact Us!
Additional Resources
FIT FEET CLINICAL DIRECTORS
Image
OLGA LALANDE | Olga started with Special Olympics in 2018, and is excited about her role as a Clinical Director of Fit Feet.  Olga graduated in 1985 from the Michener Institute of Applied Sciences and completed her B.Sc. in Podiatric Medicine in 2006 at Sunderland University in the United Kingdom.  She has over 30 years of experience as a Chiropodist with the last 27 in her private practice in beautiful Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Olga has been active in her profession having served on both the Ontario Society of Chiropodists and the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine.
Image
JASMINE BASNER | Jasmine started with Special Olympics in 2018 and is excited to meet many of the Special Olympics athletes as a Clinical Director of Fit Feet. Jasmine became a Canadian Certified Pedorthist C. Ped (C) in 2005 and has been working with BioPed Footcare ever since. Jasmine looks forward to using her knowledge of the feet to guide the athletes toward proper footwear and insole choices and help them reach their fullest potential.
Image
KEN WEINBERG | Ken Weinberg has been a Chiropodist since 1984. He practiced in his first year at St. Joseph Health Centre and then for one year at Toronto East General Hospital before entering private practice. He specializes in sports medicine injuries but treats people from all ages and walks of life. Patients he treats suffer from foot, knee, hip and lower back issues possibly stemming from their feet.

OPENING EYES

The mission of Special Olympics – Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® is to improve the quality of life for the millions of individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities by optimizing their vision, eye health and visual skills through quality eye care.

Learn More → STRONG MINDS

Strong Minds aims to teach athletes mental exercises and provide resources to increase relaxation and stress management skills.

Learn More → SPECIAL SMILES

Providing solutions to chronic dental problems, or providing an athlete with a mouth guard, can enhance the athlete’s performance.

Learn More → HEALTHY HEARING

The Healthy Hearing program serves as a global audiological screening, care, and referral program for our athletes.

Learn More → FIT FEET

Many Special Olympics athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. Athletes are not always fitted with the best shoes and socks for their particular sport.

Learn More → FUNFITNESS

FUNfitness is the comprehensive physical therapy component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® initiative.

Learn More → MEDFEST

Special Olympics MedFest is a free health screening that facilitates the acquisition of the standard sports physical is required under the General Rules of Special Olympics, Inc.

Learn More → HEALTH PROMOTION

Health Promotion is a free screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation, and physical fitness.

Learn More →