Local Voices: Appreciating the Good Stuff

Pride cannot explain how we felt Saturday afternoon during the seasons first cheerleading competition in Quakertown when we watched our wonderful girl, our daughter, perform with her cheer squad as part of the Lansdale Cannoneers cheerleading group.

Despite being surrounded by hundreds of other proud parents, routing and cheering, both of us had tears rolling down our cheeks. Tears not just from being caught up in the moment of the excitement but because just last year at this time, the night before this cheerleading competition, we were bringing our girl home from CHOPs (Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia). Not sure when or if she would ever be in a cheer competition. I remember her mother was getting up the next day to bring her to the competition because our little girl wanted to go, to support her team despite being relegated to the sideline. She had a hard time walking and keeping her body still. It was discovered that she had Sydenham Chorea, a neurologic movement disorder. It was physically exhausting for her yet she went to all of the competitions in full uniform and never at any time did she fuss or complain that she could not participate. She would just tell us "next year I'll be back on the mat with them".

After a long year of hard work in therapy there are no words to tell you how it was to watch her out there and see her participate so wonderfully while her squad took 2nd place to move onto the next level of competition in a couple weeks. Lindsay you are the most determined, inspiring, beautiful daughter we could ask for.

We are so proud and love you so much and Congrats!