Local Optometrist and Company Director, Alan Macdonald of Hughes, Macdonald & Davidson Opticians is lending his expertise at the 2017 Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games.
The Special Olympics are being held in the City of Sheffield between 7-12 August 2017. The Games are the country’s largest multi-sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Around 2,600 athletes will come together from across the country. They will be supported over 4 days of competition by 800 coaches, 750 volunteers, 150 officials and over 5000 family and friends.
Alan is volunteering his time and expertise at the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program. The program educates athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identifies issues that may need additional follow-up.
Opening Eyes is one discipline of the program which is aiming to screen 1000 athletes over four days (7th & 10th August). There will be around 12 stations testing different areas such as distance and near vision, colour vision, pupil response and the health of the back of the eye.
For those athletes that need glasses, replacement glasses, sports goggles or have dubious examination results will be given a full eye examination. They will receive their new eyewear with their new prescription and a special badge for attending our screening.
Alan Macdonald, Optometrist and Company Director at Hughes, Macdonald & Davidson Opticians said “Everyone should have an eye examination; having intellectual disabilities should not contribute to sub-standard care. I am delighted to be able to contribute to such a wonderful event. I use Makaton, a language programme using signs, symbols and speech to communicate with athletes during the screening, which helps provide clues to what I’m saying, enabling the athletes to benefit from the eye care they deserve”.