The town of Cuenca, located within the Ecuadorian Andes at an elevation exceeding 2500 meters, is widely known as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site because of its cultural and historic richness. Regardless of its recognition, many are unaware that Cuenca additionally holds vital significance within the Particular Olympics motion.
This picturesque metropolis staged the inaugural ‘Opening Eyes‘ occasion in South America in 2001, which was additionally the primary worldwide screening supported by the Lions Golf equipment Worldwide Basis.
The success of this occasion could be largely attributed to the pioneering efforts of Dr. Carlos Chacón, who performed a vital function in organizing it throughout his dwelling Nationwide Video games.
“I used to be fortunate to be chosen to the primary Opening Eyes program outdoors america. The engagement allowed me not solely to be taught from seasoned professionals but additionally to actively take part in screening the imaginative and prescient of the Particular Olympics athletes. With the help of Paul Berman, Sandy Block, Bob Sanet, Susan Cooper and David Evangelista, this volunteering expertise bolstered my dedication to being a constructive power of their journey to raised imaginative and prescient.”
Chacón first launched into a transformative journey to convey improved eye well being and imaginative and prescient care to the worldwide inhabitants of people with mental and developmental disabilities in 1997.
Upon accepting the invitation to be educated as a Scientific Director for the Particular Olympics Lions Golf equipment Worldwide Basis Opening Eyes program, he took half in an revolutionary scientific coaching program in Sevilla, as a part of the Particular Olympics Spain Nationwide Video games, marking the start of his impactful involvement.
Two years later, by way of the management of Particular Olympics Ecuador, Chacón grew to become the primary Scientific Director in Latin America to take the worldwide effort ahead.
Chacon expanded his information throughout his nation, together with some distant areas. All through the next twenty years, his dedication remained unwavering. The help of Lions Golf equipment Worldwide Basis has been instrumental on this journey.
Chacón stated, “Within the first occasion, Lions Golf equipment supported us with volunteers they usually have all the time been able to collaborate with their volunteers to help us on the times when we have to consider the athletes. Lots of the volunteers present their vocation to serve whatever the bodily efforts that this activity requires.
“With respect to their monetary help, I imagine it was elementary for the Opening Eyes program to succeed in many athletes and I imagine that this motivated different well being areas to do the identical; to search for sponsors to assist with the answer of athletes’ well being issues.”
Since 2003, the Monterrico Norte Lions Membership in Lima, Peru, has additionally been a steadfast associate of Particular Olympics and of Chacón, who exported his information to different Latin American nations. They haven’t solely supplied volunteers throughout occasions but additionally supported the availability of prescription glasses to athletes without charge. Their dedication ensures a seamless expertise, guaranteeing that athletes obtain high quality providers.
Waiting for the Particular Olympics Latin American Video games 2024 in Asunción, Paraguay, Chacón expresses confidence within the native crew’s capacity to arrange the Opening Eyes program.
Chacón added, “In Asunción, my expectation is to establish new scientific administrators for a number of nations in South America and to have the ability to replicate this initiative in every of their nations with a view to obtain a larger variety of athletes.”
As Chacón continues to make strides in imaginative and prescient take care of Particular Olympics athletes, his legacy continues to face as a testomony to the ability of collaboration and the transformative influence that one particular person’s dedication can have on the lives of many.
“As a watch care skilled, Opening Eyes has allowed me to develop abilities when interacting with individuals with mental disabilities, which you be taught little or no or nothing about at college. Within the human facet, it’s our social accountability to assist many athletes who require our abilities to have high quality imaginative and prescient in case they want it.”
