High School Special Needs Cheerleader A Liability

Welcome to our Cheerleading Community

Members see FEWER ads... join today!

Was reading an article on ABC news and I read this comment. I wish I could shake Jules hand!!



  • politicaljules
    3 days agoIf there is any sport that fully includes kids with down syndrome, it is cheerleading. From high school teams, to private cheerleading gyms, kids with down syndrome are performing with their peers more than any other sport out there. That is a lead that others should follow. It does work, and it can work, and you do not need to worry about treating them with discriminatory kid gloves because they might be too fragile or they might get hurt. Kids who happen to have Down syndrome are no more fragile than other kids. They skin their knees and put on bandaids just as much as other kids.
 
Just out of curiosity, since the article didn't go into it really...can someone explain the liability? You can't just say something is a liability issue and not clarify it further.

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
Just out of curiosity, since the article didn't go into it really...can someone explain the liability? You can't just say something is a liability issue and not clarify it further.

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!

My assumption (and it's strictly that) is that the coach decided she didn't have enough court/field awareness to escape if a player or two were headed her way.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
My assumption (and it's strictly that) is that the coach decided she didn't have enough court/field awareness to escape if a player or two were headed her way.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
Ugh. This is so disheartening to read. If that's the "liability" then the school district should hire an aide to be at the games and assist if necessary. I did that last year for a student and it worked wonderfully. I hope the coach/school district know that not only are they hurting Brittany, but that entire school and community as well.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
My assumption (and it's strictly that) is that the coach decided she didn't have enough court/field awareness to escape if a player or two were headed her way.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
If that's what they're calling a liability...I know plenty of cheerleaders who fit that description. None of them have Downs.
 
If that's what they're calling a liability...I know plenty of cheerleaders who fit that description. None of them have Downs.


I've heard nothing else and that's all I could think about.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
This is honestly outraging to me. Does this school not understand the concept of inclusion? I'm sitting at a football game as I write this watching a girl with disabilities cheer and she is loving it! Why should this girl not be allowed to enjoy her life and play a sport like any other kid? Personally I've been nailed with basketballs at games and I know cheerleaders who've been laid out by a football player. I'm writing a nice email to this school district when I get home on my laptop. Shame on them.

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
My assumption (and it's strictly that) is that the coach decided she didn't have enough court/field awareness to escape if a player or two were headed her way.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!

I got hit in the head more than once with balls at games! Not a player, but basketballs ha.
 
I've heard nothing else and that's all I could think about.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
Honestly, my first thought was they have pegged her as a medical liability (ie insurance). Having been around Downs kids my entire life, I know (as you do) that people with Downs can be predisposed to certain medical conditions. Guess what, she needs to have a physical, just like every other cheerleader. If her heart is fine, she should be cleared. If no atlantoaxial instability is found, she should be cleared. Having an extra chromosome does not automatically make a bigger insurance liability, which is exactly what I think they are blaming.
 
Back