Volunteer doctors from the Connecticut Association of Optometrists will be treating hundreds of Special Olympics athletes to vision examinations and prescription and safety eyewear this weekend at the Summer Games.

The event is part of Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes (SOLCIOE) Vision Health Program.

Volunteers expect to dispense over 150 pairs of free prescription glasses and goggles to athletes, fabricated on-site at the Special Olympics CT Summer Games at SCSU.

This event will take place June 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday June 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center on the 3rd floor at the Southern CT State University Campus in New Haven.

March 3^rd will mark the second annual “Spread the Word to End the Word” day of awareness, a campaign created by youth, in an ongoing effort with Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word. Youth leaders are encouraging people to rally and pledge their support at www.soct.org with the goal of reaching 100,000 pledges.

The day will be devoted to educating and raising awareness of the positive impact individuals with intellectual disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the R-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation. Special Olympics and Best Buddies International hope that this day becomes an annually recognized day to raise awareness and ultimately encourage acceptance and respect for people with intellectual disabilities in everyday lives.

Special Olympics Connecticut encourages locals to take the pledge on March 3^rd, in order to “spread the word to end the word.” For more information about Special Olympics Connecticut and the “spread the word to end the word” campaign, please visit www.soct.org.

Spread the Word to End the Word was created by youth with and without intellectual disabilities who participated in the Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit last February, held in conjunction with the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. The motivation for the campaign was driven by a united passion to promote the positive contributions people with intellectual disabilities make to communities around the world combined with a simple call to action – a pledge to stop using a word – that also symbolizes positive attitude change and a commitment to make the world a more accepting place for all people.

Motivated by their commitment to action, actor John C. McGinley was inspired to join these youth and their dedication to stop the casual use of the R-Word.

“Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends,” said McGinley. “I choose to believe that most of us are fundamentally good and that we’re just not aware that the word is offensive and that it hurts.”

Special Olympics CT is hosting a Penguin Plunges at Highland Lake in Winsted, CT on Saturday, January 30, 2010. The Penguin Plunge challenges brave souls to run and jump into the cold lake water donning nothing more than a bathing suit and bow tie. Registration begins at 10:15 am, while the official plunge will begin at 12:00 pm.

“Doing the plunge was special because it wasn’t just diving into the freezing water. It was making new friends, helping to make a difference, and really making a nice memory”.