Putting Theory into Practice

By Grace Collins ’22, July 25, 2024

Special Olympics New York Summer Games give IC students a chance to flex their skills

Ten Ithaca College physical therapy majors staffed Healthy Athletes screening stations throughout the Special Olympics New York Games, held on campus for the third straight year.

(Photo by Grace Collins '22)

The more than 1,200 athletes and coaches weren’t the only winners as the Special Olympics New York (SONY) 2024 Summer Games took place on campus and around the community June 14-15.

The conclusion of a three-year partnership between SONY and Ithaca College, South Hill has been home to the annual Games since 2022. Exemplifying Ithaca College’s mission to be a private college for the public good, ten Ithaca College occupational therapy students staffed Healthy Athletes screening stations throughout the Games, offering the athletes health and fitness evaluations and sharing wellness tips.

In addition to providing valuable feedback to the athletes, the stations offered students the chance to put their classroom skills into practice while giving back to the community.

Healthy Athletes, an initiative launched in 1997 by the Special Olympics, works to bridge the gap in health care for people with intellectual disabilities by providing free screenings and athlete education across eight health disciplines.

“The things that we learn about in the classroom can be filtered through an ableist mind. We try not to do that, but nothing can substitute for experience.”

Associate professor of occupational therapy Michelle Bradshaw

The Strong Minds station, supported by students and faculty members from the college’s occupational therapy program, gave athletes the chance to practice using techniques like breathing, stretching, and reciting self-affirmations in a mirror to get into a positive mindset.

Associate professor of occupational therapy Michelle Bradshaw was volunteering at the Special Olympics for the first time and said that opportunities like these help students expand their perspectives beyond the constraints of the classroom.

Morgaine Agrillo '25 helped the athletes create positive affirmations. (Photo by Grace Collins '22)

“The things that we learn about in the classroom can be filtered through an ableist mind. We try not to do that, but nothing can substitute for experience,” she said. “I hope that these students get more comfortable with working with different kinds of folks. From a clinical perspective, it also helps you to learn to think on your toes, and think about how to tailor something specifically to the particular human you’re working with. It's just an opportunity to broaden perspectives and gain confidence, so those experiences in the classroom can be more meaningful as well.”

Morgaine Agrillo ’25 and Lily Babcock ’25, both occupational therapy majors, were volunteering with Strong Minds as a part of their summer pediatrics clinic.

For Agrillo, working at the positive affirmation station was a chance to practice adapting activities to meet the needs of each athlete who came through. At the station, athletes could hold up a mirror and practice positive self-talk, choose a sticker with a positive message, or draw an affirmation of their own.

“I want this station to meet each athlete where they’re at, and for them to walk away with something positive to say about themselves,” Agrillo said. “Everyone is human, and it’s important to learn how to approach people in a way where they don’t feel like they’re being talked down to. It’s rewarding to have a person who is maybe met with a lot of differences feel like they’re just being treated normally.”

Babcock spoke to the experience of putting the skills and theories she learned in the classroom into real-life practice.

“Working with real people and taking the things I've learned in the classroom to actual interactions with people is really cool,” Babcock said. “I’m excited to work with all of the athletes and see what they do.”

At the FUNfitness station, PT and OT students worked with athletes to test health indicators such as balance, flexibility, range of motion, and strength.

(Photo by Grace Collins '22)

Across the arena, physical therapy students and faculty were working with athletes in the FUNfitness station to test health indicators such as balance, flexibility, range of motion, and strength.

Kayleigh Plumeau, associate clinical professor of physical therapy, oversaw a group of rising juniors and fifth-year PT students who staffed the station.

“I think the biggest thing students get out of this experience is just seeing how we as physical therapists can help the community. You're not just working in a clinic, we can get out here and help the community and focus on wellness and prevention,” Plumeau said. “Healthy Athletes gives students the chance to talk to people, to interact with these athletes and see how physical therapists can contribute.”

“I think the biggest thing students get out of this experience is just seeing how we as physical therapists can help the community. You're not just working in a clinic, we can get out here and help the community and focus on wellness and prevention.”

Kayleigh Plumeau, associate clinical professor of physical therapy

McKenna Cronberger ’24, DPT ’26, was working at the station, testing athletes’ balance and measuring their walking speed with Timed Up and Go tests.

“We do the tests and if there’s something that needs improvement, the athletes get education on that,” Cronberger said. “We focus a lot on patient interaction, so we’re using those skills and interacting with people and talking with the athletes. Getting that practice is useful.”

Pearl Hettich ’24, DPT ’26, was volunteering at the FUNfitness station for the second year in a row. He also spoke to the importance of seeing classroom theories translated to real-life environments.

“We talk a lot about the therapeutic alliance in our classes, so working on how to give out directions at the station is great practice,” Hettich said. “It’s a super rewarding experience seeing the athletes getting involved and talking about their athletic experiences. It’s awesome seeing everyone so excited and meeting new people and promoting health.”