The parents of a student in the Elgin School District say school leaders will not allow their child to participate in the cheerleading program because she has Down syndrome.

 

Fourteen-year-old Alli Williams was born with Down syndrome and stop speaking when she was in elementary school but they say one thing helped her come out of her shell: cheerleading.

 

Alli’s parents say the school district and athletic director told them it wouldn’t be fair to the other students who didn’t make the team and she could try out but would not meet the minimum requirements.

 

“They secured an attorney to fight us on asking for Alli to be a cheer manager,” Robin shares shaking her head, ”I think it’s ignorance. I think that they may possibly even be embarrassed that they would have a child out there with a disability.”

 

Girl with Down Syndrome Not Allowed on Cheer Squad

I am not sure how I feel about this one but I think I side with the school here.

 

Agree? Disagree? I could be convinced otherwise on this one.

Definitely side with the school. If she can't meet the requirements to be on the team, she shouldn't be on the team. Simple as that.

Definitely side with the school. If she can't meet the requirements to be on the team, she shouldn't be on the team. Simple as that.

 

I side with the school as well, one of the hard things in life to accept, tough situation. I do think that this all could have been prevented with maybe offering her a manager spot if the coach did not have time then she could have offered it with parent supervision....but we may not know the whole story. Could be that the family is a bunch of trouble makers, and they did not want to be involved.

The TV show "Glee", and Coach Sue's "Cheerios" come to mind.

 

I think that I go with the school on this. Cheerleading is an extracurricular activity with try outs. Not everybody is chosen. Yes it sounds harsh. But every school also has some sports, clubs or activities that don't cut, and she could choose something else.

Normally, I would agree with both of you all, but this is not "giving" her a cheerleading spot. They are asking for her to be "cheer manager", or a "honorary Cheeleader" only allowed her to cheer a few cheers on the field with the cheerleading squad. That leads me to think that she was not taking a position from anyone else and the number of true cheerleaders would not change if she is on the team or not.

 

I have seen this kind of thing done before and think it is a great way for a child be a part of something that they would not normally be a part of, plus, it teaches the other cheerleaders about dealing with adversity while learning to interact with someone with Down's Syndrome. There is nothing wrong with doing what is proposed.

 

I saw a football player from West Virginia that played without legs. He was part of the team, he learned from it, the other players learned from it. I have seen many clips of mentally impaired children scoring touchdowns in a real football game where both teams allowed the player to run for one touchdown. Heart warming stories of adversity and achievement. Would anyone be upset about a football player being on a team with a disability that normally would not be allowed to happen? No difference here.

100% agree with not letting her on the team.

100% disagree with not letting her be a part of the team in some manner, like manager or mascot.

Normally, I would agree with both of you all, but this is not "giving" her a cheerleading spot. They are asking for her to be "cheer manager", or a "honorary Cheeleader" only allowed her to cheer a few cheers on the field with the cheerleading squad. That leads me to think that she was not taking a position from anyone else and the number of true cheerleaders would not change if she is on the team or not.

 

I have seen this kind of thing done before and think it is a great way for a child be a part of something that they would not normally be a part of, plus, it teaches the other cheerleaders about dealing with adversity while learning to interact with someone with Down's Syndrome. There is nothing wrong with doing what is proposed.

 

I saw a football player from West Virginia that played without legs. He was part of the team, he learned from it, the other players learned from it. I have seen many clips of mentally impaired children scoring touchdowns in a real football game where both teams allowed the player to run for one touchdown. Heart warming stories of adversity and achievement. Would anyone be upset about a football player being on a team with a disability that normally would not be allowed to happen? No difference here.

 

You are 100X better with words than I. Ignore post #7 and add me to post #6.

Ram, should they just allow anyone who can't make the squad be an "honorary cheerleader" or a "cheer manager"?

Ram, should they just allow anyone who can't make the squad be an "honorary cheerleader" or a "cheer manager"?

 

That's the beauty of it, you pick who you want. They don't everyone be water boy/girl for football, manager for basketball...etc. Same thing.

Agree with school.

 

Disagree with her not being allowed to be part of the cheer squad in some form.

 

I have seen kids on football teams dressed out and never play, but still part of team and an inspiration. It meant more to them than it did to some of the players that played.

Football, by the way, is a horrible example because it isn't a cut sport like cheerleading.

Ram, should they just allow anyone who can't make the squad be an "honorary cheerleader" or a "cheer manager"?

No. But if you think that is what is being asked here, you are missing the point. One of the big advantages of high school and sports is the ability to learn diversity. Not just race, religion, and ethnic difference, but differences such as this. I promise, without out a doubt, the non Down's Syndrome cheerleaders will learn more from this young lady, then the Down's Syndrome girl will get from being an honorary member of the Cheerleading squad.

That's the beauty of it, you pick who you want. They don't everyone be water boy/girl for football, manager for basketball...etc. Same thing.

 

What happens if they allow her to be an "honorary cheerleader" and, heaven forbid, she gets hurt? The fact they've already hired a lawyer leads me to believe it'd be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Football, by the way, is a horrible example because it isn't a cut sport like cheerleading.

True, but I know a lot more about football then cheerleading. lol