Family Support Network
Families with members who have intellectual disabilities are like other families; however, having a family member with special needs can sometimes introduce new and different challenges for families in their everyday lives.
Special Olympics offers families the opportunity to be a part of a year-round sports training and competition program which not only provides the entire family with opportunities for sports, social interaction and fun, but also serves as a much-needed support system.
The Family Support Network is based on the premise that the family members of present and future Special Olympics athletes are valuable and have an important role to play in Special Olympics outreach. The Family Support Network connects Special Olympics families with new families of an individual with intellectual disabilities and provides supportive links and information.
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Involvement in Special Olympics and Its Relations to Maternal and Paternal Stress is the first research study to empirically link athlete involvement in Special Olympics to parent well-being. Find out more about this study by visiting the Research section of this Web site. |
The Family Support Network creates opportunities for family members to:
- Become advocates for the Special Olympics movement;
- Match families to share ideas, issues and common interests;
- Volunteer in their loved one's athletic training; and
- Encourage new families who can benefit from Special Olympics to join.
Family Support Network Resources
For more information on additional resources for family members and how your family can get involved, visit Starting a Family Support Network. For inspiration, read about how Special Olympics Myanmar (Burma) in Southeast Asia, eager to grow its Program, has developed a key Family Support Network.
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