National I Love My Feet Day

National I Love My Feet Day is a day to appreciate how valuable our feet are. Our feet put up with all the things we do in our everyday lives such as standing, walking, and playing sports. It is important to take care of our feet so we can do the things we want to do and prevent any health issues. Special Olympics Fit Feet offers screenings to evaluate ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics, and proper shoe and sock gear to participating athletes. Fit Feet helps Special Olympics athletes step lively on the playing field, and in everyday life. Many athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. 

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The Facts

Up to 50 percent of Special Olympics athletes experience one or more preventable or treatable foot conditions that can affect their sports participation. Often, these individuals are not fitted with the best shoes and socks for their particular sport. During Fit Feet events, volunteer foot healthcare specialists work with athletes to evaluate problems of the feet, ankles and lower extremity biomechanics.

Fit Feet screenings have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. have untreated foot conditions.

64% have gait abnormalities

44% have skin and nail problems

29% have bone deformations

51% of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. are wearing the wrong size shoe

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Resources

Love your feet! Share on social media how you protect your feet by showing off your favorite pair of shoes you wear when playing sports using #SOMDILoveMyFeetDay

Fact Sheets (PDF): Global | United States

Virtual Presentation for Athletes (PPTX)

General Foot Care (PDF)

Nail Care (PDF)

Skin Care (PDF)

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Activities

Zoom Backgrounds
Virtual backgrounds are one of the easiest ways to spread awareness about I Love My Feet Day! On August 17th you can replace your normal backdrop with one below to encourage others to take care of their feet in any Zoom meeting you have!

Right-click the image then save as to your computer. Open your Zoom application and update your background to the file you saved from this page.

Social Media

Reminder: As you complete activities, please post pictures to SOMD Virtual Movement Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2863037773816713) using hashtags #InclusiveHealth and #SOMDILoveMyFeet.  If you’re using Instagram or Twitter, please tag @SPOlympicsMD and #SOMDILoveMyFeet.  No Social Media?  No problem? 

Email pictures to healthyathletes@somd.org  for us to include in our social media!

Tag and follow us on Social!