Free Glasses Following an Opening Eyes Screening Changed the Game for Miguel Mendoza

We have always heard the saying “You don’t know, what you don’t know, until you know.” Athlete Miguel Mendoza’s daily reality was a variation on that theme – “You don’t know what you can’t see, until you can see it.”

Miguel is a 30-year-old athlete who has been with the Shelby County Stars for approximately three years. He plays basketball, flag football, track and field, bowling, and his favorite sport, softball. Not only is Miguel a 5-sport athlete but he has also worked full-time at the Shelby County Convenient Mart for more than five years.

At the 2024 Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) State Summer Games, Miguel was able to have a vision screening conducted by the Healthy Athletes Opening Eyes Program, sponsored by Lions Club International. This was the first time in 10 years he had received such services due to not having access to health insurance. Upon completion of his vision screening, it was confirmed he was in dire need of new glasses. Since then, Miguel has received a pair of glasses and a pair of rec specs free of charge. According to one of his coaches, He has gone from a B athlete to a 1A superstar!

Miguel confirmed that his new eye wear was life changing, “everything isn’t blurry anymore and I can see far away.” He also stated that he can field and hit the ball better in softball, shoot better in basketball and catch better in flag football. This is just one story of many that is possible thanks to SOKY’s Healthy Athletes Program.

For more information about the Healthy Athlete Program or about screening opportunities, contact Special Olympics Kentucky Health and Wellness Director Brennan Smith at 502-695-8222 or [email protected].