Cheerleading Changes Lives and Here’s the Proof

We love posting inspirational stories. We never cease to be amazed by how supportive and accepting cheerleaders and squads can be. They have extreme passion and are some of the most dedicated athletes out there. Their strengths go beyond tumbling skills and stunts and extend to kind hearts. This time, our latest story hits close to home – at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, CA, which is my alma mater. Two members of the JV cheer squad aren’t your typical cheerleaders (or teenagers). While most struggle with balancing school, cheer, and a social life, Caitlyn Barber and Krystina Hennessey work hard every day to complete even the simplest of tasks. Caitlyn, though almost 15-years-old, has the mental capacity of a five-year-old. On top of that, she has an obsessive compulsive order so severe that she’s prone to unpredictable violent outbursts, screaming and throwing objects. Caitlyn’s best friend, 15-year-old Krystina, has a learning disability that will prevent her from ever being able to read or write. Reported by the San Diego Union Tribune, both girls’ parents discussed how much of a transformation occurred when the girls started cheering. It all started for Caitlyn a few years ago when she joined a special-needs cheer squad. Her parents were shocked when their daughter, who has difficultly remembering information, could suddenly memorize an entire routine. The typically shy girl who rarely makes eye contact was shouting, waving, and smiling at a large audience. As her parents say, she’s a completely different person when she cheers. When it was time for Caitlyn to attend ninth grade at Rancho Buena Vista, her mother talked to the cheerleading coach, Lynn Vaughn, about allowing her daughter and her friend, Krystina, to cheer. Lynn’s immediate response was, “yes!” Both Caitlyn and Krystina were added to the JV roster as honorary cheerleaders. Caitlyn was beyond ecstatic about being on her high school squad. When she first got her cheer uniform, she wore it for two days straight. When a teammate invited everyone over for lunch, it was the first time Caitlyn had ever been invited anywhere. It makes sense then that, when Caitlyn is asked what her favorite thing about cheerleading is, she says “the friends.” News Source: San Diego Union Tribune Does your school or community have a special-needs team? Does Caitlyn’s story inspire you?