The Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics of South Texas Summer Games were held on Friday, May 19th, at Heroes Stadium inside Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, TX. The games took place over a 4 day spread where over 5,400 attendees, including Athletes, Unified Partners, coaches and volunteers competed in sports including soccer, cycling, tennis, athletic track and field, gymnastics and fundamental sports. The event included free athlete health clinics, the LETR Torch Run, lighting of the Flame of Hope, the Champion’s Lounge and Athlete’s Village.
The Driscoll Health Plan Community Outreach team engaged with multiple information tables to both educate and provide athletes with fun activities. The Health Plan continues to work with Special Olympics both at a local, regional, and now state level. The team is now part of the Statewide Initiatives Committee and is helping SOTX expand their growth and access in all South Texas. DHP supported the free athlete health clinic known as “Healthy Athletes” which covers 8 disciplines including physicals, vision, audiology, dentistry, nutrition, prevention, emotional health, physical therapy, and podiatry exams. DHP educated over several health topics and connected families back to DHP services in South Texas through the distribution of a newly developed community resource guide.
Overall, the experience was phenomenal as the team engaged with several school districts in South Texas including Kingsville ISD, IDEA, Edinburg CISD, La Feria ISD, Edcouch ISD, Brownsville ISD, Port Isabel ISD. This year's Texas Summer Games host Partner is Morgan's Wonderland, and CEO Tim Martin also thanks Summer Games sponsors Wellcare, Wells Fargo, Energy Transfer, Driscoll Health Plan, Southwest Dairy Farmers, United Healthcare, Brandt, Broadway Bank, Spurs Sports, and Entertainment, WaterFleet, H-E-B, and Northeast Independent School District (NEISD).
It’s amazing to see all come together to support Special Olympics’ mission to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities worldwide and create inclusive communities.
DHP Team in attendance:
