It wasn’t your regular sport at Intuit Dome, dwelling of the Los Angeles Clippers. Earlier than watching the house crew play, Kaiser Permanente leaders and Particular Olympics Southern California athletes stepped onto the courtroom to play a pleasant basketball sport. Former LA Clippers crew members acted as referees. Kaiser Permanente is proud to companion with Particular Olympics Southern California and the LA Clippers to offer medical care to assist their athletes attain their peak efficiency. Kaiser Permanente gladly took the chance to carry collectively 2 passionate teams of athletes for a day of enjoyable.
Main with inclusion
About 200 million folks have mental disabilities and might face social exclusion and restricted alternatives. Unified Sports activities — a Particular Olympics program that brings collectively folks with and with out disabilities to compete on the identical crew — helps break these limitations, demonstrating teamwork and mutual respect. Kaiser Permanente helps these efforts, empowering people and creating a way of belonging.
“Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to selling whole well being and enhancing the well being of the communities we serve,” stated Michelle Gaskill-Hames, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in Southern California and Hawaii. “By way of our partnership with Particular Olympics Southern California and collaborating in occasions like immediately’s, we reinforce the significance of inclusion in attaining good well being for everybody. The Particular Olympics athletes really function a supply of inspiration for our staff and physicians.”
Along with Gaskill-Hames, 6 different Kaiser Permanente leaders and 10 athletes from the Westside All-Stars, a Los Angeles-based Particular Olympics basketball crew, participated within the unified sport.
Creating alternatives for connection
The Westside All-Stars’ power was contagious as they showcased why they clinched a bronze medal on the 2024 Particular Olympics Southern California Summer season Video games.
One of many athletes, Caleb Williams, mirrored on the day’s affect: “Sports activities are my life. I met unimaginable, constructive folks immediately. I really feel so grateful for this expertise.” His story highlights the function sports activities play in bringing pleasure and fostering connection.
After the unified sport, everybody watched the LA Clippers basketball sport, strengthening bonds that began on the courtroom.
