In the largest-ever gift of its kind, a New York businessman is pledging millions toward improving health care services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Tom Golisano will give $12 million to Special Olympics to launch a major new health initiative in six states and seven countries. The founder of payroll processor Paychex, Golisano has given significant sums personally and through his foundation to organizations supporting those with developmental disabilities.
The donation, which will be spread out over four years, is the largest single gift from an individual in Special Olympics’ history. It was announced this week at the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative.
The new funding will be used to establish an initiative dubbed “Healthy Communities” in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, New Jersey, Wisconsin and New York. Internationally, the program will also launch in Mexico, Peru, Romania, Malawi, South Africa, Malaysia and Thailand, officials said.
The plan calls for more than 1,500 clinics to be created specifically to address the health care needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Training will also be provided for 5,000 health care professionals on how to treat those with special needs.
The Healthy Communities program will build on Special Olympics’ existing Healthy Athletes initiative which provides free health screenings to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“I am dismayed that people with intellectual disabilities and their health needs and status remain largely invisible to practitioners, systems, governments and larger global health community,” Golisano said, adding that he hopes to spur “sustainable, systemic change.”
According to Special Olympics, people with intellectual disabilities experience significantly higher rates of preventable illness as compared to the rest of the population. What’s more, research shows that those with disabilities often have trouble finding medical providers to meet their unique needs.
BRAVO!
Just a quick note of support for this initiative. We are not in a 3 world country, rather live in Canada, with wonderful public health services accessible to all. After 20+ years of parenting our son at the highest level of parental conscientiousness we thought possible, ensuring thorough checkups on everything, including his eyesight, it was only through a Healthy Athletes screening did we discover he had cataracts. Even though his verbal communication skills are highly developed, this issue escaped all his previous examinations, and an irreversible outcome was avoided as surgery removed the cataract and greatly improved his vision. We are forever thankful to Special Olympics Canada and the Healthy Athletes Initiative, and can only imagine the positive impact this donation will have on countless communities and individuals worldwide.
God Bless you, Sir! Our special needs population has always been overlooked when it comes to health care- it is hard to find doctors who will care for our people, mainly because they are either afraid to deal with the behaviour issues, or because of the overwhelming work load. You can’t find doctors who will even do something as simple as putting on a cast. Special Olympics and the health care organizations that so willingly give their time and effort to checking eye health, hearing, cardio-vascular issues, dental, and so many other vital health concerns- there are not words enough to thank them for the invaulable service they give our people- or you, sir, for the amazing gift that helps them continue to give it.
Mr. Golisano, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I am the mother of a magnificent 21 year old son who has autism. He is the light of my life and quality healthcare has been a non-stop challenge. We are not in a state that will directly benefit from this initiative, but it is a much appreciated, gigantic step in getting the ball rolling for all of us. I also applaud you for speaking up and bringing attention to the poor health care available to these beautiful people. The world needs more people willing to stand up and make things change. Many blessings to you Sir.
Finally!
A 1%’er who does give a darn about disabled people.
About time.
Tom Golisano, I appreciate you. My daughter has T.B.I. and after educating myself, I am constantly educating doctors, educators, family and friends on how to work with her. It would be a relief if more specialists knew how to help my daughter be less apprehensive about all the medical she will need for rest of her life and get her more involved in her medical care along with her education.
appreciative,
Ms. M & M.
Again, with the us against them mentality! First, there is no 1%! For the community of individuals with disabilities to adopt that argument is silly! Second, if government at all levels would get out to the way; the wealthy in this country would gladly give enough to help out where they are interested.
The truth is there are many more looking to or actually helping out than makes press here.