Should a Girl With No Arms and No Legs Get Special Treatment to Become a Cheerleader?
- Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:13am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A Nebraska high school is drawing the ire of the ACLU after its cheer team rejected, for a third time, a young girl with no arms and no legs. The school says she can’t perform the basic cheer functions. The ACLU says she should be given a pass.
“I just think it would be fun,” 16-year-old Julia Sullivan, who gets around in a wheelchair, told the Omaha World-Herald.
16-year-old Julia Sullivan, who says it's unfair she was rejected by the cheer team (SCOTT KINGSLEY/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE)
But she’ll have to find another way to pass the time after trying out and not making the team. That, her parents and lawyer say, is unfair.
“We would agree that there are some activities such as football where the ability to run and tackle are fundamental to the sport,” Kevin Schneider, the family’s attorney, told the World-Herald. “Making reasonable accommodations and modifications for cheerleading are not fundamental in that same way.”
The parents complained to the school board about Julia’s situation, asking it to step in after citing the Americans With Disabilities Act. They believe Julia should have been given special accommodations, and that her disability should have been taken into consideration during the scoring.
After deliberating behind closed doors, the board decided not to do anything.
The World-Herald explains the board’s decision:
Aurora Superintendent Damon McDonald said school administrators and the school board reviewed the district’s policies and criteria for the cheerleading program with its legal counsel. They also sought a second legal opinion.
“In both cases, they came back and said the Aurora Public Schools policies and guidelines are appropriate and legitimate for all students,” said McDonald, who took the job July 1.
The school district, he said, does not believe that there was a violation of the disabilities act and that making accommodations “would fundamentally alter the cheerleading program in the Aurora Public Schools.”
Cheerleading is not sanctioned by the state’s high school athletic organization, the World-Herald reports, so it has not gotten involved in the case.
However, the ACLU has. The group has started spreading the word about Julia’s case, even featuring it on one of its podcasts.
As for the family, Schneider said they have not decided the next step.
“For us, it’s the basic principle,” Mike Sullivan, Julia’s father, told the Herald. “Any handicapped child in Nebraska could be kept out of activities.”
And as for Julia, she has her own theory about why she didn’t make the team: “They just have it in their mind that I can’t do it.”
What do you think?
(H/T: Daily Mail. Read the full article from the Omaha World-Herald.)
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Comments (355)
moreteaplease
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:51amTEDDYC73 Brings up a good point, people with two arms and two legs get bumped from tryouts all the time; so what now, will they be able to say ” well you have her on the team; so why am I being bumped?” We all have our limitations and we have to accept them and go on.
Report Post »Banshee34
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:22amCompletely agree!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:29amOn men’s athletic teams, if you don’t make the cuts, you don’t play. You might warm the bench, or even be an equipment manager or something.
Find her a way to participate, but, no, you don’t lower the bar for one person.
Now, if other people refuse to try out for cheer leader and choose to leave open slots for someone else, that is up to them.
We ALL have limitations.
I would have liked to have been an MD. But, I had trouble learning biology. Let’s lower the bar so I can be a doctor! Wanna be my patient? Instead, I found where my abilities AND interests INTERSECTED, and became a commercial pilot. It is not medicine, but, it is what I am CAPABLE of achieving. It still took lots of hard work and effort, and it is very rewarding, not only because I enjoy it, but also because of all the effort I put into it!
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:33amShould a midget get preferential treatment to play professional basketball? I mean, I feel for the chick but this PC crap is getting out of hand. No, it has been out of hand for decades. Sick of it. Meanwhile they beat the dignity and pride out of the boys until they are nothing but mush brains.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:49amGo for it. The unions have turned sports into a circus anyway.
Report Post »Big Book Harry
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:12amAt the same time her disability should no automaticly precude her.
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:28amShe’s got a mouth and lungs, so she can cheer. Isn’t that what cheerleaders are supposed to do? Lead cheers? All that other acrobatic and dancing stuff is BS; it’s got nothing to do with leading cheers.
Report Post »Iman Barak Hussein
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:37amThis is exactly the king of female that would want to be a single parent.
Report Post »Because she biologically is able to have a baby doesn’t mean she should.
americangriffin
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:43amShe would make a great flyer. Just throw her up in the air and catch her.
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:44amIDK, I keep thinking about the young man who is in a wheelchair and plays in the marching band.
His dad, wheels him around for all the formations.
From the picture she has arms to perhaps the elbow, so maybe fit something for holding pom poms or something. She has a cool chair it looks like one of the lift type to change heights.
maybe she just needs to think a tad more creative, enlist some help and try out again.
It would depend on the leaders of the cheer team, they just not be creative enough to think out of the box, maybe if she enlists some of the other cheerleaders and they develop and demonstraight a routine that works.
In all, trying out shows her courage, trying is half the battle.
I don’t oppose a lawsuit, that too can be defeated.
People here talk about knowing one’s limits, that is true to a point.
I want to build a skyscraper, I can’t do it alone, so I enlist help and git er done.
creativity not just demands are what is needed here.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:04pm@watchman
Report Post »I agree that her trying out for the team showed Courage. Not excepting the fact she did not make the cut and instead is pursuing judicial fiat to overturn that decision is saying to the world “Standards don‘t apply to me I’m Special and the World needs to Accommodate to Me”
Ironmaan
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:25pmEverything is sooo upside down. The handicapped folks like to accuse people of NOT hiring them because they are handicapped and now it seems they must be hired / included BECAUSE they are handicapped, whether or not they can perform. Kinda reminds me of a racist tact I often see.
Report Post »BuckOfama
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:38pmI can’t read the story I am to busy ROTFLMFAO…….
Report Post »Fat Pappy
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:04pmMy thoughts exactly, thanks.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:31pmStupid…let her play third base.
Report Post »lyndiloo
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:46pmHula Calhoun – I was a cheerleader for several years in HS and was expected to be a certain weight, lift a specific amount of weight (for mounts), excel in gymnstics, kick my legs high into the air, dance using precise moves, hold pom poms in my hands, stand on a dancing box, maintain a certain GPA and yes, lead cheers. Prior to trying out for cheerleader, I also had to spend 6 months in a physical education class where I practiced all the moves and was graded on my ability. Cheerleading is a sport Hula Calhoun! I have never seen a group of cheerleaders doing nothing other than screaming a cheer. The goal of a cheerleader is to entertain the crowd and get the team fired up. I feel bad for the girl however, cheerleading is not for her! Cheerleading is not for a lot of people due to the fact their bodies do not allow for the gymnastics moves. I would love to do ballet but, my body does not allow for me to move in such a way. Many girls do not make the cheerleading team because they cannot do the moves etc. It is clear, this woman cannot do the moves and to file a lawsuit is crazy! Our country is going completely nuts! I want to work at the Gap but even though the Gap promotes a certain lifestyle I want to wear a full burqa – Gap says NO and I file a lawsuit to wear the burqa. We need a reality check in this country! Something is severely wrong!!
Report Post »SUPPLY_SIDE
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:03pmMaybe affirmative action can be expanded to people with disabilities. She could be, I don’t know, a fireman, policeman, rodeo clown… I’m sure we could accommodate.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:13pmThis is too far out of the park. I understand her desire, but others have made excellent point. Next, anyone with a disability will be placed on the team—whether that is autism, special education, etc. It is a sport and they compete.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:27pmAs sorry I feel for this girl, there are limits to everything. If it were for her health, I’d say go for it. But, really, she cannot do the cheer leader exercises. Let her be on the sidelines if it’s that important. When I was a young woman, I wanted to dance in Swan Lake in the worst way, but I knew I could never be good enough to even audition for it. Same thing with this poor girl. I’d love to see her get a chance, if it were even feasible. But this looks more like her parents are making a stupid statement. It’s called reasonable accommodations, being in a wheel chair with no arms or legs precludes her from participation as a cheer leader. Duh? Even I see that with compassion.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:30pmCoin toss, I think people have different skills and different disableities, like other blaze members would agree my school would’nt let me in the Spelling BEE, No matter how bad I wanted it !
Report Post »HAD a bad studdering problam in high school ! bad one, Could’nt be on the debate teem and would of loved that in a diff world but it would of became a comady…..but everytime they needed a guitarist
for the christmass chiore concert they came for me, If their cutting other girls than NO !
IF IT REQUIRES ATHLETIC SKILLS THEN …NO ! Cant play ..go try Drama Class !
samuraiajg
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:46pmIf you give in to allow special privileges to be allowed on the team what will be next? How about her wanting to be a police officer. Really practical isn’t it. This is your Brain dead Liberals gone crazy.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 3:13pmIts all about making people equal no matter how unequal we really are. Reality bites, but thats how it is. We still can get along, but we must acknowledge and yes we must accept within our own hearts and minds that some people are more gifted and more talented then ourselves. I will never be the next Kobe or Picasso nor will most who read this. Let the best of us be the best and the rest get out of the way with due respect given and cheer them on (pun intended). Stop using disabilities for social agendas.
Report Post »Clive
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 5:19pmTomFerrari, her being born with no arms, and no legs, is a little different from you being too lazy and stupid to pass a biology course.
Report Post »Trance
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 5:41pmI think it’s absolutely horrendous that the ACLU wants to put a cheerleader uniform on this poor girl, and put her out in front of a football crowd just to amuse the crowd. She’s got no arms and legs for crying out loud! She shouldn’t be made into a sideshow freak because of that! She should be allowed to live her life with dignity, and be the best that she can be.
Report Post »Thomas
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 6:26pmYou would think that someone in her condition would not want special “poor me” treatment?
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 6:41pmjust another wtf moment.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 7:12pmthis is fkng madness ! perhaps she can can be a navy seal…
Report Post »looseyloo
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:10amTo Hula Calhoun: Wel, yes, she has a mouth and lungs, and she can cheer. From the stands, like everybody else.
What she cannot do, apparently, is LEAD cheers. CheerLEADING is not the same as cheering. Cheerleaders use their dancing/athleticism/movement to encourage cheers, attract attention in order to encourage cheers, and create enthuisiasm for cheering.
Why would tryouts be necessary if cheerleaders were only required to cheer, like everybody else in the stands ? They could just have everybody take turns.
The young lady is not entitled to be a cheerleader, but she is certainly welcome to try out. If she can do the cheerLEADING routines, she should be considered for a cheerLEADER position. Buf if she can only cheer, she will have to do that from the stands.
Report Post »Deuteronomy22
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:36amWhat’s next, Trig Palin on the debating team?
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 6:29am@SUPPLY_SIDE “Maybe affirmative action can be expanded to people with disabilities. She could be, I don’t know, a fireman, policeman, rodeo clown… I’m sure we could accommodate.”
Rodeo clown??? LMAO. Id like to see this twit be the barrel. This girls physical condition is sad to say the least but to lawyer up for such a thing??? Please.
Report Post »ginsberg
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 1:14pmThis is not professional cheering we are talking about, it is an amateur highschool team that the community funds, but yeah lets just teach kids from a young age to shun the disabled…jesus touched a leper remember?
Report Post »Alky
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 1:26pmWhy would she want to make a spectacle of herself?
Report Post »BeerSnob
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:47amWell… the other cheerleaders could throw her higher than they can a “regular” cheerleader. Could improve the halftime show. Just sayin…. c’mon you all though it, you just wouldn’t say it :)
Report Post »DarkFire
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:53amShe will be perfect for the high school MIDGET TOSSING TEAM!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:20amCoin toss?
Report Post »sissygirl
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:42amReally? Midget tossing joke about a 16 year old girl who obviously has been dealt with some very difficult obsticles? Now I know why they think GB listeners are all sloping foreheaded neanderthals. Can‘t you discuss the debate without totally degrading this young woman who I’m sure if being lead into this by her parent and the ACLU. You all are effin ate up. I hope you are not teaching your own children (God forbid) such hate.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:49amReally Sissygirl? Indignant about stupid jokes made about an armless and legless girl wanting to be a cheerleader? The whole thing is a joke. That is the point. The other point is that people should grow up, learn their natural limitations, or at least not expect others to make special allowances, and stop being so prickly sensitive. If this girl doesn‘t want to be the butt of jokes she shouldn’t make herself one.
Report Post »sissygirl
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:57amSo you think this 16 year old disable teenager wants to be the butt of jokes? You know think it’s her parents who have told her her whole life “Honey, you’re just like everyone else! You can do anything you want!’ Then teh ACLU picks up the story and continues to tell her that she deserves to be on the team. You think it is this 16 year old girls fault so it’s okay to make to make midget tossing jokes? It was difficult enough to be 16 and completely healthy, I can’t image what this poor girl is going through. I certainly don’t think it is she wanting to be the butt of joke putting herself out there. Whether or not she should be allowed on the team is the issue, not being cruel to a 16 year old girl.
Report Post »BeerSnob
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:05amI was just stating an upside to this. She weighs less than other cheerleaders, and cheerleaders are always tossin each other around. Lighten up a bit. Nobody “hates” the girl.
That coin toss idea is just WRONG! but I’m still chuckling
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:22amThey should let her be the school mascot. Dress her up like a ladybug or something.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:10pmSissygirl, I sympthize with her and would never want to hurt her feelings, but yeah, lighten up. Stupid situations call for mockery. It’s not her we are mocking. It is the concept that her disability would be no hindrance to the job.
Besides, I think she probably has tougher skin than you think. If not, she had better thicken it up if she is going to be out in the world. She actually sounds like she has a good spirit, so I hope she is up to learning the realities of life and not what her dumb-a** parents and the ACLU are teaching her.
“There’s no limit to what you can do” doesn’t mean that you can do ANYTHING. It means that you can always improve yourself and achieve great things.
Report Post »Tyr
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:20pmI think she should try to join the military! ACLU would have a field day with that one! ooh, ooh, Midget Submarines!!! Chill out you halfwits!
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:24pmDo I think this girl should be chosen over others? Given special treatment? I don’t know. (Thank goodness I don’t have to make that decision.)
Should she be allowed to try out? Yes.
Is she a stronger person not for not passive accepting her limitations? Yes.
Is it evil to mock her courage, to call her “situation” stupid? Yes! It sure as hell is!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:13pmZombie, she was allowed to try out, three times. I guess you missed that. But she didn’t pass the tryouts. That’s the point. Nobody is calling her situation stupid. We are calling stupid the idea that people should ignore tha fact that she can’t do the job and pass her anyway. And nobody is mocking her courage, but part of courage is accepting defeat and moving on to the next challenge. Sadly her parents won’t help her do this.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 6:43pmbeersnob, i was goig to say they would have a hard time putting that chair on the top of a pyramid.
Report Post »uzi4u2
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 8:50pmThis is redicules….I worked with a guy that was in a wheel chair because he had lost his legs due to a birth defect. I had to listen to this guy blow all the time about how he was just a capable as a person with legs, how he didn’t want any special treatment…bluh,bluh,bluh….so one day when he was spouting off about how he was “just the same as anybody else” (and I was in a bad mood anyway) I said to him ” I respect you gor getting a job and working to support your family and all but you ARE NOT like us, you demand wheel chair ramps and special wide doors, you get the best parking spaces, etc,etc,etc….you are not the same, YOU HAVE A HANDYCAP!!! To which he cursed at me and said he WAS the same. I asked him if he was the same and I had pissed him off so much, get up and kick my ass. We were friends after that till he died 7 years ago, and yes he did change his tune and except that he had a problem that he needed “alittle” help with.
Report Post »I feel for this kid, but she will do nothing by forcing this on the other kids but alienate them and that will do nothing but make her life harder. Except your limitations (all of us) and work within them.
Dahart
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:46amCome on even people with disabilities have to realize that they do have limitation even thought I have seen them do some amazing things
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:54amThis is ridiculous. They are suing for every little thing. Cheerleading is dangerous enough WITH arms and legs. This is similar to the case of the (pardon the expression) Midget who tried out for the High School Basketball Team and was cut, then his parents sued and forced the school to make him a starter. They didn’t win a single game. How is this fair to the other players?
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:55amI’m not good at math and still want to be on the math team (hypothetically, I’ve been out of highschool for 29 years). Some things just have requirements. I am the parent of a special needs adult….he‘ll never drive because he can’t take the test (reads on a 2nd-3rd grade level). I’m not going to read the test to him just so he can drive.
Report Post »Dahart
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:01amI’m not disagreeing with you…I was just saying she must realize she dose have limitations
Report Post »Shellback
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:58amLorainne this makes me ask if the state will give her a driver’s exam for a driver license? Will the ACLU support that?
Report Post »FarmerOz
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:13amThis PC has got to stop! All people have limitations, people have to learn to play with the hand that they are dealt with.
If we want to be really PC, lets allow blind people a drivers license, etc etc etc. People have limitations with or without a disability.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:00pmHubris, lack of humility;The hallmarks of the religion of Americanism [trickled down to any and every facet and situation no matter how ridiculous]!
Report Post »looseyloo
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:13amSHELLBACK, yes the ACLU will, no doubt, support her in getting a drivers’ license. I don’t think they care whether she can drive or cheerlead. They are the ACLU, remember.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:46amI want to be a professional ball player. I understand I can’t compete on their level, but someone needs to step aside so I can cash in my entitlement card.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:41amSometimes, I wonder if people just do things on purpose, just to cause trouble. I am sorry that this girl has no arms, nor legs. Being a cheerleader requires one to jump, clap, and wave their arms. Being a mascot requires somone who can walk around with a costume on. Will she also try out for that? I think she, and her parents, are being unreasonable, by expecting the school to consider her for a cheerleader. Maybe she can be a water girl, or equipment girl, but those would require arms, too. She has a mind, perhaps she can write cheers, or announce. There are things the school could have her do. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Report Post »Goldline_scam
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:59amThe mindset of the wingnuts never ceases to amaze me. So no accommodation should be made for individuals with less than perfect physical capabilities and beauty? How ’bout you just exterminate them, like Hitler?
Report Post »Steve Neiling
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:12am@GOLDLINE–why do you libs always say that not allowing someone to do something is the same as killing them? I don’t let my kids drive or drink beer or smoke–am i killing them and acting like a Nazi? I bet you’re all for abortion–so who’s doing the killing here?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:26amGoldline only reveals his lack of self worth. If he can’t do what anyone else can do he feels less than them. And he thinks everyone else thinks like that.
Poor liberals. They don’t understand that self-worth doesn’t come from what you can do. But that‘s why they feel free to kill unborn babies who aren’t as useful as adults, unless the babies make you feel good. But unwanted babies never make you feel good, so kill ‘em.
Report Post »awizard
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:36am@scam; You are right “the wing nuts amaze me” too … What’s she gonna wanna do next, enter a beauty contest and complain to the aclu when she looses?.. Somethings require near perfect physical ability (eh football?) somethings require at least “good” physical ability and “some beauty (eh cheerleading?). many/most things don’t … I live in the latter world and have neither of the former and I do what I can do … this poor girl must learn to do the same … We all come up short somewhere … I’ve found that I must work to my strengths, not trip over my weakness.
I’d suggest this girl would be better served to except reality … maybe use her time developing her brain?.. As she got a bad deal with her body.
Hitler?.. Exterminate?.. pl lease …
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:39amProjection!! Good one Goldline. Call people the deragatory name that describes you and your ilk-ha. Progs are pathetic.
Report Post »TxGold
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:39am@Goldline_scam: Don’t be a dope. People with both arms and legs get rejected all the time.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:43amGood idea! What better cheer leader could they ask for than an excitable young girl announcer? That sounds like comething that she could do, so long as another person isn’t better at it.
The ADA is out of control. There are people who make their whole living off of suing individuals and businesses for being out of compliance with ADA guidelines. I’ve been in a South OKC elementary where they installed wheelchair lifts on wheel chair ramps. They spent 25 grand on a lift that was supposed to help the children get up and down the ramp. Here’s the kicker, it takes a key to operate the lift, because you can’t have a piece of machinery like that around 5-12 year olds without some type of safety. So a teacher must be present to use the lift. Now, with a teacher there, they could just push the child up the ramp. That was 25 grand of worthless spending.
Report Post »Amren
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:01pm@Scam,
Report Post »You Progs forget who came up with the idea of exterminating less than perfect humans: The American Eugenics, who were Progressives and Leftists. I think that’s YOUR group, Ace. Not the group on this site.
Be glad your Mommy and Daddy didn’t espouse your ideology.
We on the Right are the Good Guys. Too bad ya‘ll can’t handle reality without whining.
Bluebonnet
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 3:22pmGoldline scam, You’re opening up a can of worms. No one wants to exterminate anyone. You are one sorry piece of crap we’d probably like to try this on, but I digress, Not all of we humans in America have abilities beyond our capabilities. In any event, tell me what this girl without arms & legs could possibly do to enhance a cheer leading team? I feel sorry, have great compassion, but she simple can’t do it.
Report Post »In this imperfect world, most of us try to do things that we ARE capable of accomplishing, not making others cow-tow to us who cannot compete. In any event, to make this team take on someone who can’t participate, is holding them back from doing their best. Is this fair? None of us from what I’ve read have been cruel to this girl, just pointing out that she should do what a girl is capable of doing from a wheelchair, whatever that is; acting, teaching, singing, wheelchair basketball.
JRook
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 3:42pm@Anonymous T. Irrelevant I think that is the Solomon answer here. Similar to the undersized, poor football player who supports the team as the equipment manager. The cheer leading coach and the school could have found some role for her which would allowed her to participate in some manner. While the suit is stupid, the coach and the school didn’t exactly overuse their brains or hearts here.
Report Post »beans bullets and bandaids
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 7:50pm@SCAM
Oh, come on, Scam! Puh-leeze!
To accommodate her, we ensure she can get to every class.
To accommodate her we do not fail her for being unable to play basketball in PE. Instead we allow her to earn that credit in a way which she CAN earn it.
She cannot be a cheerleader by the normal standards and expectations for cheerleaders. Get that? NORMAL standards. It’s not about expecting perfection, it’s about expecting that those who are selected for the job can actually DO the job.
Report Post »American Pride
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:41amNo. Get real.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:40amSomeone should tell this girl that EVEN IF she had arms and legs, she STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN REJECTED because her face is ugly and/or plain and/or homely.
Report Post »Dahart
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:51amDude! Really! That was just hateful!
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:02amThe truth hurts.
She is ugly.
Nothing hateful about a fact.
Report Post »ComeOnToolsOnTheLeft
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:43pmJack, I wish I could meet you face to face and show you who you really are! I bet you are 5 foot nothing, bald and fat! You have to put down people who didn’t choose to be born this way to what? Make yourself feel better? You should get on your knees and pray for forgiveness!
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 5:05pmI was stating a FACT- which isn’t personal. She is NOT pretty. Whether she is 6 or 16 or 60 – THAT will never change.
Cheerleaders are statistically above average looking – unless they have a very good personality. This girl has neither.
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:39amYou know? I bet she can’t be an Airline Pilot or a Brain Surgeon either . . . When you have a handicap (yes, that’s what it is) you are limited. No amount of political correctness is ever going to change that. She can be in the pep club like the other 99% of the students in the school. That does not make her a bad person – just unable to be a cheerleader. (Personally, why would she want the loose reputation that cheerleaders have anyway?)
Report Post »bree20
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:56amConserv – not all cheerleaders have bad reps – I cheered all 4 years of hs and did not have a bad rep one in fact I was pointed out from teachers , classmates and the admin as being a leader – I also was on the student council, made good grades and won several awards for being a good citizen.
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:39amI’m sorry, but no. There’s something else out there, for her.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:39amHeck NO! What is going to be next? Have a non qualify president? I want to be baseball player, but I am not good enough. That is reallity.
Report Post »HollyPolly
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:14amWe already do have a non qualified president.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:37amMight as well play a tape recording of people cheering and get rid of cheerleaders at games.
Just as running and tackling are fundamental to football, so is running,skipping, GYMNASTICS, cheering by clapping hands, raising arms above head, pumping fists in the air, etc. etc is fundamental to cheer leading.
Let’s guess what is next?
A muslim girl in a FULL ON Burka suing a school because she wants to wear her burka while cheerleading.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:45am“A muslim girl in a FULL ON Burka suing a school because she wants to wear her burka while cheerleading.”
Report Post »—————————————————————————
Don’t give them ideas.
lyndiloo
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:54pmYou really nailed it Jack2011!! I bet a time will come when someone wants to be a part of the cheer team but wearing their full burqa. I was ticked last year when I heard some schools changed football practice times in order to accomodate Muslims during Romadan. Instead of holding practice after school, they changed the time to midnight in order to make the Muslims happy. I wonder if the school would change practice times for Christians?? Answer is NO. Do you remember the Spanish teacher who brought up ham in his class and one of the Muslim girls complained to her Mother and the teacher got into trouble?? What is next?? Enough is Enough!!
Report Post »Ready2Rumble
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 8:46pmWell, now that you mention it, I remember a story from perhaps two years ago. In Ontario, Canada a Moslem girl was suing a youth soccer league (?) because the referee would not let her play ball while she wore her hajib (head scarf). The ref said that this was an unacceptable safety risk to the girl. Naturally, she sued on the grounds of religious discrimination. I have not heard what happened with this case, but if anyone has a follow-up, I would like to hear it.
PS: The ref who asked her to remove her head scarf was Islamic as well.
Report Post »psst
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:36amMy sympathy is w/ this girl.I fell sorry for her plight.
Report Post »But! This is getting ridiculous.
Suppose a guy wants to be on a college wrestling team? he has legs, but no arms. Or, he has legs, but no arms.Through no fault of his own .maybe accident or born like that.(eg Thalidomide or other problem)
The American w/ Dis Act was a good idea run amok, like all guv mandated laws/programs always do.
For examples,how many timea I go shopping and see high SUV’s and even off road PU trucks w/ handicapped license plates parked in the Handicapped parking spots.I see them all the time.
The local Target shopping center have sooo many HC parking space it is absurd.The whole town would have to be HC’ed to fill them, and everyone shopping at the same time, and there would still be empty HC spaces.
Many folks w/ HC plates are just really fat people who needs the excersise to walk inside the stores.
Many bidnizes had to go to extreme costs to redesign their toilet centers and walkways. And many have very few HC folks.
Why don’t we have girls on Big Time college football programs, ya know like the Alabama, LSU,Oklahoma,,USC, Florida, etc.I’m sure some of them would like to be a tackle or a guard, mebbe a linebacker.
We are lliving in Rod Serling’s World.
teddyc73
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:36amThis kind of stuff infuriates me. I see no need to treat people like this any different but when it comes to their abilities one has to deal with reality. When they request or demand to do things that are beyond their capabilities then I begin to loose respect for them and seriously question their motives. This girl can NOT do what is required on a cheer leading team. She must except that and so should her parents. If she were blind should she be on the archery team? Where does it end? As for the ACLU, I hope this school stands up to these unamerican bullies and does not back down.
Report Post »Pium Vir
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:33amThe question: “should a girl with no arms or legs be a cheerleader?”
Hell, as long as her pom poms look good, why not?
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:44amIt is not her pom poms that are in question.
Even without the problem of no arms and legs, she has a face ONLY a mother could love. THAT face would have prevented her getting on the team even with arms and legs.
The truth hurts.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:43amHere’s the truth, Jack. You are dirtbag.
Report Post »sissygirl
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 11:00amIslesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:20am
Coin toss?
************************************
Report Post »And what are you???
Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:24pmCalling her ugly was, as far as I could see unwarranted, and pure gratuitous. It had nothing to do with the argument. And it didn’t seem intended as a joke at all.
The coin toss was a pointed joke. It was an idiotic image to point out the idiocy of thinking her disability isn’t relevant in a physical activity. But people who refuse to see how idiotic is the idea of a person in her condition being a cheerleader, when she can’t come close to doing the work that a cheerleader is required to do, well they certainly aren’t going to appreciate any satire to illustrate the point.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 8:31pmEven if in bad taste for some, Islesfordian comment was a joke. It was not a direct comment about the girl, more the situation. Geez a lot of people on these blogs need to get a dog to kick. That is they feel a need to argue for the sake of arguing, I’m assuming to relieve some stress in their lives. Between that and zealot ideology it is difficult to actually have intelligent interaction. The best solution for all involved would have been to give her some role with the team. Similar to the small, non athletic kid being the equipment manager for the football team. I’m sure one of the cheerleaders here could identify something.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:25amJrook,
What you suggest sounds admirable, though it reminds me of the instances where a team would let a special needs kid play, say at the end of the game. It is sweet and a great thing to do, but it makes sense when it involves someone who might not find a way to participate in ANYTHING on an equal level. My problem is that I don’t get the impression that this girl is mentally less capable than others. Surely she would know she was getting the sympathy position. What would that do to her drive to excel in other areas. Self-esteem, that much valued thing of our day, really comes from within, from accomplishing things. If we create a role designed for her to achieve will it not eventually seem hollow to her?
It feels nice to give everyone a gold star, and having worked with special needs kids I know that is a sensible way to treat them, unless you think they can do better and understand the motivation that comes from failure.
This girl needs to be directed toward activities where her disability is irrelevant. How about a debating society or the choir? Something that uses the skills she possesses. She needs REAL affirmation, not phony patronizing. I’m guessing she is smart enough to tell the difference, and when you can tell the difference IT MATTERS.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:32amthat woluld be like me saying I should drive a car even though I cant see well enough to drive, everyone else drives so they should allow me to drive if I PROMISE to drive really really slow.. BULL CRAP you do the best you can with what you have that you can not change but know what you can and can not change. grow up and stop asking to be treated special
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:31amI’m gonna take heat on this one…. but I don’t think they should make special accomodations for her….It could become a big safety issue with just the wheelchair alone. I do applaude her for her energy and determination. I hope this young lady graduates with high honors and makes the millions that the dems will try to take away.
Report Post »teammommy
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:30amSo if the team has a spot for say 11 cheerleaders, and the pyramid they make for a cheer requires all 11, wouldnt this be an issue? Yes let her dress up and come and join in, but there has to be a time and place that ACLU and all the lawsuits have to stop. I hate to think my child is learning that all you have to do to get your way is to sue. Whats next? Suing cause she didnt win a beauty pageant?
Report Post »robinraleigh
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:29amLet her cheer…from the bench…
Report Post »robinraleigh
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:28amHmm..yeah, Julia, you seem like a really likeable young woman and as far as yelling the “Rah-rah sis boom bah” parts of cheering, I don’t have a problem with your being able to do that. But let’s be honest here – you want to do something that you cannot do. There’s nothing wrong with that. Millions of people wake up everyday wanting to do things they cannot do. Life isn’t fair. It’s not supposed to be.
It is time we stopped perpetuating the lie in this country that just because someone WANTS to do something, they should be able to, logic, rules, common-sense be damned! We are not all going to be equal in everyway and we should stop trying to sue someone whenever we feel we are “disenfranchised”. The Americans with Disabilities Act didn’t guarantee this child the right to be a cheerleader. Instead of clogging the courts with frivolous litigation, why not put those energies to better use coming up with new and better ways for Julia to participate in school activities rather than the forced-inclusion route she, her family and her bottom-feeding lawyer seem to be pursuing?
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:36amThere are many young people who would like to be good enough, or physically able to play on a team but just don’t have the capabilities. There are a limited number of places for them helping the team. without being a player, that still includes them on the team. Just because you want something doesn’t mean the rules change to accommodate you. Wish her the best.
Report Post »lane829
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:28amYa gotta play the hand you’re delt. Sorry but there are lots of things I can t do. Guess we should let all the 90 pound geeks on the weightlifting team too. But really you were given brains not muscles. Go get a job with HP or something and make $bank$!!!
Report Post »Amren
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:10pmThis is like a story I heard years back about a kid in a walker that wanted to be on the soccer team. Just like this, Mommy and Daddy sued instead of telling the kid the facts of life.
Report Post »kschmud
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:28amPolitical correctness run amok – again. Cheering requires some basic things – oh i don’t know…kicking, jumping, clapping…and perhaps waving the occasional pom-pom. She can show her spirit by sitting in the stands and yelling with the rest of the crowd. The disabled and their parents need to step back and get a little common sense.
Report Post »mankind7375
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:26amI feel sorry for her but if you can‘t physically do what is needed to be done then you can’t do it. There are thousands of kids who do not have special needs that get cut from activities all the time and there is no groups or organizations standing up for them. Though we are talking about standing up and cheerleader and if she can yell and spin in her chair why not have her out front and say the cheers. Maybe they can put some flags or streamers on the chair and have her move back and forth in front of the crowed while the others perform the routine.
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:22amIn cases such as this one I believe a spot on the team would be very appropriate .
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:31amMy oldest son played football at Wando H.S. in Mt. Pleasant SC and their cheerleading squad had a girl with Down’s Syndrome who was loved and respected by all. She did a fantastic job and probably show’d the most enthusiam.
Report Post »teddyc73
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:32amHow is it appropriate? Not everyone makes the cheerleading team. They should make an exception because of her condition? She cant do what is required!
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:32amI agree, but that would lead to preferential treatment. The American’s with Disabilites Act (ADA) focuses on the job description, not the disability. As bad as this may sound, she is unable to perform the actual Job due to her handicap, but there may be another spot (like coaching) that she may do.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:56am@teddyc73…..you were the kid that never got picked to play kickball weren’t you…so sad.
Report Post »dtitus1304
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:21amThe parents are deciding on her next step? There is no next step. She has no legs.
Report Post »Seriously, what kind of cheerleader would she be? All she would do is sit around and yell. I know plenty of people who can do that. This is pathetic.
teddyc73
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:30amThe next step in our society is lawsuit, with the ACLU’s participation. Nothing will change, she still cant do it but that doesn’t matter.
Report Post »ginsberg
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:17amWow im glad I didnt go to this school, what a truely aweful display of humanity, thia school should be cut off from all taxpayer funding.
Report Post »LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:23amShe still has a voice …let her Cheer
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:26amRight, because there is absilutely nothing PHYSICAL about cheerleading which might make someone like her incapable of doing the cheers. I have never seen cheerleaders jumping around and waving pompoms or anything like that.
I really don‘t see why she can’t try out for football too. She could hold the ball for fieldgoal, or even be one of the goal posts.
The world is insane.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:27amSorry, not trying to be hurtful here, but let’s get real, if the girl can’t perform basic cheer-leading functions, she can’t really be a cheerleader. We can’t be inclusive for everything.
Report Post »bree20
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 9:38amSorry but in this case you are wrong if it was a choir or any other group that does not require a student to have arms and legs I would argee. That is what cheering is about – not everyone makes the team deal with it. I cheered all thru high school and even thou I am sure a lot of people will not agree it is a sport and it is all physical. I am sure she can support the team by doing something else just like all the other girls who do not make the teams across the country.
I am sorry she is missing her limbs but there are limits just like there are limits to what I can do – I can not sing yet I would not force the choir to let me in just because I really really want to be in there.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 10:36am@bree20
That about sums it up. If you can’t carry a tune, you don’t belong in the choir. Good point.
Report Post »Andrew Ryan
Posted on July 14, 2011 at 6:33pmAll she’s asking for is to be considered for some silly high school cheerleading team.
Report Post »Who would it hurt? Nobody.
Who does it matter to? Her.
in 20 years nobody will remember this, but she will.Give it to her.
The rest of you need to stop acting like children looking for whats “fair” all the time.
Sometimes life is hard, and I’m sure this girl has already learned that lesson. It wouldn’t hurt anybody to show her that sometimes this world has compassion in it.