Naz students work with Special Olympics athletes on wellness

Providing fitness screenings and wellness stations during a Special Olympics' bocce competition on Nazareth College's campus was a win-win, supporting the athletes' health and providing valuable experiences to future occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Says Hannah Smoker '20, '22G (physical therapy): "We screened Special Olympics participants in the areas of strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic fitness. Based on their scores in each area, we identified the major areas to address and provided the participants with education on exercises to do at home. I gained communication skills as I worked with the participants through testing and education on healthy exercise habits. It was great to be able to use the PT skills I have learned in a fun way to help the participants!"

Julianna Murphy '23 (occupational therapy) said she and fellow students staffed wellness stations where they talked with the athletes about ways to stay healthy, including proper skin care in the sun, staying hydrated, eating fruits and vegetables, and exercising. 

"We asked participants what they do for exercise, what are their favorite fruits or vegetables,” says Julianna. “Listening helped me use that OT lens that I have started to establish — and opened my eyes to how complex and different each person is. It is important in OT to look at the client holistically and to recognize that each body system affects each other. If my client didn’t have healthy living habits, then this would impact their overall energy level and muscle strength which impacts the activities that they are able to participate in.”

Nazareth also has students studying creative arts therapy (art, music, and play), nursing, public health, social work, speech-language pathology, and audiology, all of whom provide services to the community through ongoing clinics on campus and through outreach programs in the community, supervised by professionals. The September 2021 Special Olympics event was part of an ongoing partnership using the College’s Golisano Training Center.

The Special Olympics Club at Naz — a student-run club dedicated to bringing together Nazareth students and individuals with intellectual disabilities to support inclusion and acceptance on campus and in the community — contributed time and work to organize and run the event.

Laurin Furlong '22, '24G (physical therapy), says volunteering at the event was fun as well as educational. "The brief encounters I had with each athlete were so positive and uplifting that I had fun while practicing what I've been taught in my coursework so far,” she says. “I learned a lot about Fun Fitness and the Special Olympics, as well as how PTs fulfill their roles in working with Special Olympic athletes!"

The day was a high point for Devon Platzer '20, '22G (physical therapy):"As a high school senior, I ultimately decided to go to Naz because of the plans for the Golisano Training Center and opportunities with Special Olympics! I learned a lot about how to help someone feel comfortable on an exam table and better ways to explain educational pieces to athletes. Not only was it a learning experience for me, it was also a nice reminder of why I am so excited for my future profession: I have the ability to help people do the things they love."