Olympic edge for Dina’s “passion”

16/10/2009 | Dina Cole - Special Olympics

Working in the challenging world of intellectual disabilities has, is and always will be, a lifelong “passion” for Dina Cole.
And that commitment is stretching even further as Dina tackles a demanding role as the Medical Services Manager for Special Olympics New Zealand’s 2009 National Summer Games in Manawatu from 2 to 5 December.

The task of planning and managing all medical services for 1400 athletes and coaches is being handled by Dina on a voluntary basis and in personal time outside her position as the MidCentral District Health Board’s Clinical Nurse Specialist Lead: Intellectual Disabilities.

She said: “I didn’t hesitate when the opportunity came up, as intellectual disabilities is my passion and has been all of my personal and professional life.”

Dina, who has a brother with Down syndrome, said she was excited at her appointment to the National Summer Games, but admitted to not realising how much the role, which included a job description, entailed.

The Medical Services Manager position is new for Special Olympics New Zealand and Dina has already been involved with a lot of development work to establish protocols, flow charts, training, budgets, contingency plans and systems.
And with MDHB sponsorship support safely secured Dina is now actively seeking volunteers to assist with the medical services needed to cover the entrants as they compete in 10 separate sports at various Palmerston North and Feilding venues.

Up to 600 volunteers are needed for the Games and Dina is hoping that among them will be a good number of nurses, doctors and physiotherapists to help manage the necessary medical posts and clinics. She already has some offers of help from colleagues and others in the community, but is wanting lots more.

“Ideally, it will be good to have eight to 10 physiotherapists on board, up to six doctors and 15 to 20 nurses,” she said. “Some nurses are already indicating their interest and have booked annual leave for that time.”

Dina said the athletes will be staying at hotels/motels throughout the region and six “food hubs” are planned at specific locations to be used for breakfasts and evening meals.

“Volunteers will certainly be required in the mornings and evenings, especially around mealtimes, when up to 700 athletes will be gathering for the one sitting.”

First aid stations are to be established at each of the food hubs, sports sites and Palmerston North Airport for arrivals and departures.

Medical staff will also be on hand for the opening and closing ceremonies and the after-Games “party” when “excitement levels will be running high”.

Dina said: “The athletes represent mild to severe intellectual disabilities, as well as a number of other associated health issues. All of them have a medical release form, however, and carry other relevant, necessary information.”

She said valuable support arrangements had been finalized with City Doctors and St Johns, as well as Rotary and Lions Clubs who are to co-ordinate local services in conjunction with Special Olympics New Zealand.

Dina is appreciative of MDHB support for the Games and this has involved access to the Education Centre for training purposes, first aid kits, sharps bins, photocopying, resuscitation defibrillators and specialist/administrative input.
Manawatu’s 157-strong team will be the largest, with Dina involved in its preparation as a swimming coach.

“I‘ll assist with the training right up to the start of Games, but not during,” she said.

And that’s understandable, considering the responsibilities facing Dina once the Games begin.