We know many members of this amazing community feel Special Olympics BC is a huge part of their lives. We feel the very same. But in order to limit any possible risk to members of our community, Special Olympics BC is making the difficult decision to pause all community weekly training, all competitions, and
all face to face fundraising events from March 13 to March 31, 2020.

Based upon what is unfolding in the greater community in terms of suspension of activities, we feel the decision to temporarily suspend Special Olympics BC activities is prudent. At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada, but this could change rapidly. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for the following Canadians: aged 65 and over, with compromised immune systems, and with underlying medical conditions.

Special Olympics BC will continue to follow the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation daily, and will communicate further with members.

We will assess, address, and communicate what the postponement of the Regional Qualifiers in this period means for qualifying for the 2021 SOBC Summer Games. Please stay tuned for further information. We
commend and thank all the athletes who have been training hard for these competitions, and all the volunteers and families who have been working so hard to plan them.

To help athletes stay active during this hiatus, everyone can check out the at-home training and health resources on the Special Olympics BC website. We will also continue our social media posts celebrating Special Olympics BC members as well as sharing wellness reminders and resources. So please do feel free to suggest everyone can talk with us on social media to stay connected and encouraged!

Thank you for your patience at this time. The health and safety of Special Olympics BC program and event participants remain our top priorities.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says the most important things you can do to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses are to:
 Wash your hands often with soap and water.
 Avoid touching your face.
 Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
 Avoid others who are unwell, and if you are sick yourself, stay away from others.

Contact your health-care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed. These are all general precautions that should always be observed in cold and flu season, but we are taking the time to remind ourselves and everyone now, in light of the heightened awareness of this topic.

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!

At this time we are not postponing or cancelling any Special Olympics BC programs or events, since the Public Health Agency of Canada states that the public health risk associated with COVID-19 is currently low for Canada.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says the most important things you can do to prevent coronavirus, COVID-19, and other illnesses are to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends following the same advice that public health officials suggest for the cold and flu season:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid others who are unwell, and if you are sick yourself, stay away from others. Contact your health-care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed.

These are all general precautions that should always be observed in cold and flu season, but we are taking the time to remind ourselves and everyone now, in light of the heightened awareness of this topic.

As best practices in this cold and flu season, we kindly remind all coaches, athletes, and families to do the following at programs:

• Please remind all participants to regularly wash their hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds – try singing the Happy Birthday song twice!
• If you feel sick, please do not attend a practice or event. Your health comes first!
• If an athlete or coach arrives at a program sick, the Head Coach should ask that participant to return home – or if they can’t immediately do so, please give them isolated space where they are not touching others.
• If a sick person can’t attend an event, but wants to stay active, please encourage them to check out the at-home training and health resources on the Special Olympics BC website.
• Please discourage high fives or handshakes – everyone loves a celebratory elbow bump instead!

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
• Your Regional Health Authority

We will have upcoming social media posts with wellness reminders and resources in order to help the Special Olympics family and everyone stay well this cold and flu season!

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!

Special Olympics Nanaimo
March Newsletter

Arianna and Jason are back from the Winter National games with great results, friendships and stories from their time in Thunder Bay. To read a story on their experience please click here.

Special Olympics Nanaimo
February Newsletter

Join us in wishing figure skater Ariana Phillips and floor hockey player Jason Mills all the best as they compete in the 2020 Special Olympics Canada winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario! The games run from February 25-29 and you can see all the results here: http://specialolympics2020.com/.

If there’s snow, Special Olympics is a No Go!

If the sidewalks and roads are slippery and it’s tough to get around your program will be typically cancelled. If you walk, bike or take the bus please make sure you are dressed appropriately to be outside in the cold. If you are unsure whether your program is running please contact your coach.

Please take a safety first approach when the weather is poor!

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!

Special Olympics Nanaimo

Powerlifting is about more than squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. It is about perseverance, overcoming barriers, and striving for success.

Powerlifting events include Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift Combination (Bench Press and Deadlift), Combination (Bench Press, Deadlift, and Squat).

Thank you to everyone that placed an order for our cheese fundraiser. Jacky is picking up all the orders on December 18th and will coordinate delivery or pick-up once she has everything. Please contact her for more details at 250.802.1088.

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!

Special Olympics Nanaimo
December Newsletter

It’s has been another great year of competition, achievement and friendship and none of this is possible without the dedication of our athletes and the help and support of our many local volunteers. Thank you for all that you do to make Special Olympics Nanaimo great!

A reminder for everyone to stay active and healthy over the break and we look forward to seeing you all again in the new year!

The next SOBC Nanaimo Local Committee meeting will be held on December 10th at 7 pm at the Country Grocer Community Room on Dufferin Crescent and is open to anyone. If you have questions or comments about anything and everything related to Special Olympics the committee is happy to discuss issues that are brought to the their attention. To contact the local directly please email SO.Nanaimo.Local.Coordinator.

As the weather changes we want to remind everyone about our winter weather policy. It’s really easy to remember that if there’s snow, Special Olympics is a No Go! We want everyone to remember safety first when the weather is poor.

We’re always looking for material for the newsletters. If you have photos and stories you would like included please send them to SOnewsnanaimo!

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!

If you would like more information or to volunteer please contact Dawn Henderson at dawnhenderson@shaw.ca.