Our project was a collaborative effort led by a diverse team of researchers, clinicians, Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and family/caregivers from across Canada. Together, we co-developed all knowledge products, meeting regularly to ensure they were relevant, accessible, and impactful.
To guide our work, we engaged directly with the Special Olympics community at two major events—the Special Olympics National Games in Calgary and the Special Olympics Provincial Games in Waterloo, Ontario. Through these engagement sessions, we listened to athletes, families, and coaches to understand what health topics mattered most to them and how they preferred to receive information. Based on these insights, our team collectively decided on the five key health topics and the five types of knowledge products we developed.
Core Team
- Dr. Avra Selick (CAMH)
- Mélanie Héroux (Special Olympics athlete)
- Victor Pereira (Special Olympics athlete)
- Duncan LeBlanc (Special Olympics coach & parent)
- Victoria Formusa (Special Olympics Canada)
- Julia Malchiondo (CAMH)
- Omi Smolkin (CAMH)
- Dr. Yona Lunsky (CAMH)
Advisors and Collaborators
- Bridgette Lord (Women's College Hospital)
- Camille Williams (Women's College Hospital)
- Dr. Carly McMorris (University of Calgary)
- Claire Lemaire (Special Olympics athlete)
- Claire Li (CAMH)
- Corrine Lemaire (Special Olympics parent)
- Heidi Mallet (Special Olympics athlete)
- Dr. Janet McCabe (Ontario Tech University)
- Dr. Jonathan Weiss (York University)
- Dr. Laura St John (University of Calgary)
- Leigh Caplan (Special Olympics coach)
- Sarah Wilkinson (CAMH)
- Serrina Philip (CAMH)
- Sue Hutton (CAMH)
- Zoe Davidson (CAMH)
