Her Health Matters: Supporting Women's Health in Special Olympics

In this episode of the IDD Get to Know Me podcast, co-host Melanie interviews Dr. Laura St. John (a women’s health researcher) , Camille Williams (a project manager within the Peter Gilgan Centre), Bridgette Lord (a nurse practitioner at Women’s College Hospital), Susan Wang (a Special Olympics athletes), Rachel Skanes (a director of youth and health programs at Special Olympics Nova Scotia), and Catriona Le May Doan (Canadian Olympic speed skater and Champions Network Athlete). They discuss the importance of supporting the menstrual and breast health of Special Olympics athletes and share ideas for how to manage symptoms and recognize changes.

To learn more about this topic, see our other material below:

Easy-Read for Athletes:

English - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-easy-read-pdf.pdf

French - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-easy-readfr-pdf.pdf

Tip sheet for Family Caregivers:

English - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-family-snapshot-pdf.pdf

French - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-family-snapshotfr-pdf.pdf

Tip sheet for Coaches:

English - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-coachs-corner-pdf.pdf

French - https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-files/hcardd/special-olympics-2025/special-olympics2025-womens-health-coachs-cornerfr-pdf.pdf

Animated Video:

English - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhzcXMdp3Q0&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.camh.ca%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fspwps10cmsv.camh.ca&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY

French - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFfcTl25SFs

Resources mentioned in the episode:

- The Endometriosis Network Canada: https://endometriosisnetwork.com/endo-hub/what-you-need-to-know-period/

Learn more about other important health topics such as Men’s Health, Mindfulness, Women’s Health, and Sleep on our HCARDD webpage: https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/professionals--projects/hcardd/projects/special-olympics

Email us at hcardd@camh.ca if you want to get involved with projects at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre!