Special Olympics honors Dr. Steven Perlman

Shanghai, China鈥擳he world’s brightest stars who support Special Olympics were on hand Oct. 4 as Dr. Steven Perlman, founder and Global Clinical Advisor for Special Smiles, received a special award for his longtime commitment to serving individuals with special needs.

Dr. Perlman was one of 11 honorees receiving the Special Spirit in China Award of Excellence. The honorees, said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics international chairman, “have been longtime fans of the Special Olympics movement. They’ve dedicated their lives to enhance our efforts and educate the world about the accomplishments of individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

Dr. Perlman, associate clinical professor of pediatric dentistry at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, founded Special Smiles鈥攐ne of seven Special Olympics Healthy Athletes disciplines鈥攊n 1993. More than 150 Special Smiles events are held annually in nearly every state in the U.S. and in 40 countries worldwide. He has devoted three decades of his career, private practice and teaching to the treatment of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“Receiving this most prestigious award along with fellow recipients Nelson Mandela, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, Deng Pufang, Yao Ming, Nadia Comaneci and others was the highlight of my professional career,” said Dr. Perlman, “for it was given in recognition for promoting human dignity.

“Having the award personally presented to me by Bianca Jagger, a global ambassador of human rights, added to the moment,” Dr. Perlman continued. “The real significance of the award however, was that it was a statement that Special Olympics will continue on its mission to become the leading advocate in the world for access to and quality health care for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.”

“Steve’s dedication and leadership to Special Olympics and the Healthy Athletes program have provided invaluable health services for one of the most underserved and marginalized populations in the world鈥攊ndividuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Dr. Stephen B. Corbin, senior vice president of Constituent Services at Special Olympics International. “He has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Healthy Athletes program, which is essential to the health and well-being of Special Olympics athletes.”聽