Based on careful consideration of all provincial health requirements and the needs of our community, Special Olympics BC has a slow, phased plan for safely returning to in-person sport programs, meetings, and fundraising events. But in line with current provincial health restrictions, all in-person SOBC programs and training are currently paused. Please click here for the most recent update.
Throughout this process, we can all stay active and connected while we're at home! Special Olympics BC has resources to help athletes maintain their training and health at home. And we are committed to helping everyone feel connected and supported.
Please absolutely do not hesitate to contact Special Olympics BC staff with any questions whatsoever, and/or any ideas for how we can best support the SOBC community that inspires us all the time.
Please check out the resources below, and please stay in touch!
Stay active
Athletes
- Complete our monthly calendars of workouts and wellness challenges! Find the calendars here
- Participate in SOBC Health virtual programs and opportunities! Find the list here
- Work on the core skills for your sport at home, using our Basic Sport Skills packages and videos! Please click here
- Complete at-home workouts with Special Olympics Team Canada's strength and conditioning coach, plus Special Olympics Fit 5 and School of Strength! Find the links here
- Work out with Special Olympics BC – Kelowna coach Shayla McLean, who delivered at-home Club Fit sessions on Facebook three times a week through the spring and summer! Find the recordings
- Strengthen your mind and body with yoga and mindfulness sessions created for the Special Olympics BC community by Shelbi Snodgrass, yoga instructor and Mental Performance Consultant! Please click here
- Looking for more workout videos and tools to help you stay active at home? Please click here
YOUNG ATHLETES
- Please click here for resources to continue Special Olympics youth program activities at home, including guides and videos.
- UNICEF's tips for talking to children about coronavirus
SCHOOLS
School groups staying active at home can use the youth program at-home resources. And groups can have fun remotely using Spread the Word>>Inclusion to champion inclusion and respect. These activities can be done anytime and there are lots of ways to participate online! Please click here to learn more.
SOBC COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS
We recognize that many volunteers have other priorities right now, and we have no expectations of you – we only want you to feel supported, and know that our thoughts and appreciation are always with you. But for those coaches and those Locals who want to continue the operations they still can address remotely, Special Olympics BC has tools to assist Local Committees, and we are developing online coach education resources.
- Local volunteers, please contact your local Community Development staff member for more information.
- Coaches, please visit our hub for online coach education resources to find Coach Development Webinars and more.
Stay connected
- Take part in our monthly SuperLive conversations on the SOBC Facebook Page, on the first Wednesday of every month! Special Olympics BC athletes, staff, and special guests are here to talk and address your comments and questions! Please click here to watch past shows.
Stay positive
- Try the daily mental and physical exercises in our monthly calendars of workout and wellness challenges! Please click here
- Check out the mental training tools on our athlete health resources page, including these coping strategies during COVID-19 developed for SOBC athletes by Mental Performance Consultant Keltie Sommer.
- Use our daily routine template to help you plan your day and feel great!
- Try this fun, positive gratitude practice created by Mental Performance Coach Scott Donald specifically for the SOBC community.
- Please click here for a plan for how to stay happy and healthy while being safe and staying in. This was developed by Opening Doors and self-advocates in the UK, and adapted for Canada by Ontario agencies.
- Please click here to watch the inspiring words from SOBC – Comox Valley athlete Jake Hooper, a member of the Canadian Athlete Leadership Council and North American Leadership Council.
- Try the Special Olympics International Take 5 for Strong Minds Challenge, where athletes are encouraged to spend 5 minutes every day practicing a Strong Minds stress-reducing technique: using a stress ball, thinking positive thoughts, deep breathing, and strong stretching.
- Use the CAMH COVID-19 Self-Help Booklet series to talk through feelings and make plans for staying well at this unique time. (new July 2020)
Stay informed
ABOUT COVID-19
Special Olympics BC recommends using B.C. and Canadian health authorities for information on COVID-19, including:
- The BC Centre for Disease Control
- The Public Health Agency of Canada (new link May 2020 - resources created by the federal COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group)
- The Government of British Columbia
Please click here for the advice from the BC Centre for Disease Control on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
The BC Centre for Disease Control notes that most people with COVID-19 recover; but some people are more vulnerable to developing severe illness or complications from COVID-19, including older people and those with chronic health conditions. Other patients may have questions about how their health may be impacted by COVID-19. Please click here for the BC Centre for Disease Control's information on this.
Special Olympics International COVID-19 frequently asked questions
Hand washing tips from Special Olympics Health Messenger Nyasha Derere
PLAIN LANGUAGE
- COVID-19 vaccine: Please click here for two easy-read booklets on the vaccine by HCARDD. (New January 2021)
- Family Support Institute: The Family Support Institute of B.C. provides a lot of help, including online video chat groups throughout the province! Please click here
- Community Living BC: Please click here for Community Living BC’s COVID-19 information. Please click here for the CLBC COVID-19 Weekly Updates for individuals and families. Please click here for their really helpful collection of plain-language resources (new May 2020).
- Health care settings during COVID-19: Please click here for a toolkit created by B.C. individuals with disabilities and families for use when you have to go into health care settings during COVID-19. (New June 2020)
- COVID-19: Please click here to find a plain-language guide to COVID-19, developed by self-advocates in Vermont.
- Financial support: Please click here for a plain-language guide to financial support from the government, recommended by Michael Campbell, SOBC Director and MoneyTalks host.
- Seeing medical professionals: “Why your doctor looks different during COVID-19" Special Olympics Indiana Board Member John Dickerson and his company Quillo were generous enough to share this video.