SOKY’s Annual Medical Fair Returns in 2022
For the first time since 2019, Special Olympics will be able to hold a full MedFest event this all. SOKY is partnering with Fayette County Public School for the 2022 MedFest which will be held on Thursday, October 27, at Southland Christian Church’s Richmond Rd. campus.
MedFest is a one-day health screening fair generally held once a year in conjunction with a local school system. In the past we have had the opportunity to partner with Fayette County, Jefferson County and Boone County school systems.
Pre-registered students with intellectual disabilities from throughout the Fayette County school system will travel from their schools to Southland Christian where they will receive a sports physical and can also receive Special Smiles dental screenings, Opening Eyes vision screenings and Healthy Hearing screenings. The sports physical meets the requirements of the Special Olympics medical waiver and qualifies the participating students to compete in Special Olympics activities, though Special Olympics participation is not required to attend MedFest.
For information about how to get a Fayette County student registered contact Kelli Firquin at kfirquin@soky.org or 502-695-8222.
Additionally, students who are interested in or planning on competing in Unified track or bowling through our partnership with the KHSAA, will be able to get their required KHSAA physical completed at the same time.
Students will also be served lunch and have other activities available throughout their time at the event.
All physicals and screenings are provided free of charge and are performed by professional medical personnel who volunteer at the events. They will be assisted in some cases by students entering the medical fields.
MedFest got its start in Kentucky in 2005 when Special Olympics Kentucky offered its first event in Lexington. It has alternated between Louisville and Lexington, and another event has been held in conjunction with St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Boone County Schools in Northern Kentucky.
While we were not able to provide the full MedFest experience in either 2020 or 2021, we were able to hold a Mini-MedFest in Louisville in 2021 in conjunction with Stuart Academy in Louisville.
If you would like to volunteer or would like more information about MedFest or about the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program, please contact Kelli Firquin at 502-695-8222 or by e-mail at kfirquin@soky.org.