For many American teens, scoring a spot on the school’s cheerleading squad is tantamount to becoming popular. Unfortunately, not everyone makes the team. But here’s a story about two girls who are breaking down all kinds of barriers as the only two members of their school’s squad who are cheering from their wheelchairs, reports WZTV.
Last season, despite near-debilitating cerebral palsy, Gabby Conklin became the first honorary cheerleader at Wilson Central High School. The teen’s mom says she’s a trailblazer who won’t let her disability stand in her way.
“There’s nothing that’s going to stop her,” Regina Conklin told WZTV. “She’s just very outgoing, and this is just another step forward and gives her a lot of self-confidence.”
Conklin says she really enjoys the camaraderie of the team, which she describes as life-changing.
“I just love that everybody has been so supportive of me,” she said. “I can’t even put it into words how thankful I am for everybody at Wilson Central for letting me be a part of this.”
Seeing Conklin make the team, Cera Anderson, whose muscular dystrophy has kept her in a wheelchair her entire life, was also inspired to try something she never thought she’d be able to do.
“When Coach Mac said I could cheer, I cried tears ‘cause I was so happy,” said Anderson.
But just what do the other team members think of their honorary cheerleaders?
“They’re like rays of sunshine, honestly. I mean they brighten up their day, they bring smiles to the whole squad. All the cheerleaders just adore them,” Coach Stacy McKinley said. “They really learn from them and their disabilities.”
Now that’s what we call teen spirit.
Photo via WZTV.
