You Can't Make this stuff up: Armless, legless girl and wants to cheerlead

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Girl born with no arms below the elbow and no legs wants to be a cheerleader. She tried out three times for the sqaud and never made it. Her parents complained to school officials. They want the scoring process changed.

She is the in band and does dance.

I'm inclined to side with the school.
Thoughts?

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/707139920#cheerleading-case-stirs-up-dispute

 

[deskslave]

I think the school could have generated a hell of a lot of goodwill by letting her join the team, but clearly it has chosen not to do that.

However, I can understand why they wouldn't, on slippery slope grounds.

 

[deskslave]

Kevin Schneider, a Lincoln attorney representing the Sullivans, said the policy of treating everyone equally is inappropriate when it comes to someone who has a legally recognized disability.

“We would agree that there are some activities such as football where the ability to run and tackle are fundamental to the sport,” he said. “Making reasonable accommodations and modifications for cheerleading are not fundamental in that same way.”

I think this sums it up. Does one need arms or legs to get fans riled up for a game? I think not.

But cheerleading is a sport!

*runs away*

 

[expendable]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see where the story addressed whether this cheer squad was competitive or just cheered at ball games. If it's the former, I tend to side with the school. If it's the latter, then I don't see where it's a big deal.

 

[Ace]

I love when organizations side with the assholes.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I think the school could have generated a hell of a lot of goodwill by letting her join the team, but clearly it has chosen not to do that.

However, I can understand why they wouldn't, on slippery slope grounds.

This ...

If they had let her on I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I don't think they should be forced to change their policies either.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Girl born with no arms below the elbow and no legs wants to be a cheerleader. She tried out three times for the sqaud and never made it. Her parents complained to school officials. They want the scoring process changed.

She is the in band and does dance.

I'm inclined to side with the school.
Thoughts?

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/707139920#cheerleading-case-stirs-up-dispute

You'd think one jerkoff involved with this jerkoff organization woulda' said, "Man, we could get a lot of positive PR by putting her on the squad. Not to mention, umm, in our overly-litigious world, it could save us a lawsuit. Afterall, she doesn't want to be a point guard on the basketball team. She wants to cheer fer crissakes." But then I realized I was reading about cheerleading coaches and parents, who are worse than the worst sorority amplified by 10 in their overall cattiness.

Lastly, think of the fundraising you can do with an armless, legless girl? You gonna' say "no" on an armless, legless girl that approaches you about buying hoagies?

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Hey, if Artie on Glee can play football ...

 

[trifectarich]

Kevin Schneider, a Lincoln attorney representing the Sullivans, said the policy of treating everyone equally is inappropriate when it comes to someone who has a legally recognized disability.

“We would agree that there are some activities such as football where the ability to run and tackle are fundamental to the sport,” he said. “Making reasonable accommodations and modifications for cheerleading are not fundamental in that same way.”

I think this sums it up. Does one need arms or legs to get fans riled up for a game? I think not.

Do cheerleaders really get fans riled up for a game? None that I've ever seen.

 

[MonsterLobster]

Do other girls get cut, too? Are there 30 girls trying out for 15 spots? If so, I'll side with the school. If this girl is the only one cut then it's just plain mean.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I think the school could have generated a hell of a lot of goodwill by letting her join the team, but clearly it has chosen not to do that.

However, I can understand why they wouldn't, on slippery slope grounds.

If she falls down a slippery slope she'll be unable to get up?

 

[deskslave]

I think the school could have generated a hell of a lot of goodwill by letting her join the team, but clearly it has chosen not to do that.

However, I can understand why they wouldn't, on slippery slope grounds.

If she falls down a slippery slope she'll be unable to get up?

You're going to hell for saying that.

And I'm going to hell for laughing.

 

[WTFünke]

Do other girls get cut, too? Are there 30 girls trying out for 15 spots? If so, I'll side with the school. If this girl is the only one cut then it's just plain mean.

This.

If there are cuts, then welcome to the real world, kid. No, despite what your parents told you, you can't be anything you want.

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker. Marlee Matlin's never going to have a singing career. Aaron Gibson is never going to become an astronaut. And Vince Young is never going to become a physicist.

The only way you're going to become a cheerleader is out of sympathy. Sucks, but it's the truth.

I'll stop being a cold-hearted SOB now ...

 

[RagingCanuck]

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker.

Well...
http://www.perkins.org/vision-loss/helen-keller/
"Many people believe that Keller’s love of language, her great articulateness and grace as a writer and public speaker were built upon this foundation."

 

[Pancamo]

Think about how high she can be tossed.

 

[WTFünke]

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker.

Well...
http://www.perkins.org/vision-loss/helen-keller/
"Many people believe that Keller’s love of language, her great articulateness and grace as a writer and public speaker were built upon this foundation."

Hmmm ... in all honesty, I knew she did speeches. But I just assumed someone else was talking for her or something. But, damn, you're right.

Well, you know what they say about assuming: It makes me a ****ing idiot.

However, my point still stands: A girl without arms and legs (and no prostheses) cannot dance ... at least not well.

 

[bumpy mcgee]

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker.

Well...
http://www.perkins.org/vision-loss/helen-keller/
"Many people believe that Keller’s love of language, her great articulateness and grace as a writer and public speaker were built upon this foundation."

Hmmm ... in all honesty, I knew she did speeches. But I just assumed someone else was talking for her or something. But, damn, you're right.

Well, you know what they say about assuming: It makes me a ****ing idiot.

However, my point still stands: A girl without arms and legs (and no prostheses) cannot dance ... at least not well.

I bet she could do a helluva 'Worm'

 

[Ace]

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker.

Well...
http://www.perkins.org/vision-loss/helen-keller/
"Many people believe that Keller’s love of language, her great articulateness and grace as a writer and public speaker were built upon this foundation."

Hmmm ... in all honesty, I knew she did speeches. But I just assumed someone else was talking for her or something. But, damn, you're right.

Well, you know what they say about assuming: It makes me a ****ing idiot.

However, my point still stands: A girl without arms and legs (and no prostheses) cannot dance ... at least not well.

Well, you've certainly proven your ability to put your stereotyped limits on people that they have proven to be able to bust through. So congrats on that.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Helen Keller could never be a public speaker.

Well...
http://www.perkins.org/vision-loss/helen-keller/
"Many people believe that Keller’s love of language, her great articulateness and grace as a writer and public speaker were built upon this foundation."

Hmmm ... in all honesty, I knew she did speeches. But I just assumed someone else was talking for her or something. But, damn, you're right.

Well, you know what they say about assuming: It makes me a ****ing idiot.

However, my point still stands: A girl without arms and legs (and no prostheses) cannot dance ... at least not well.

Well, you've certainly proven your ability to put your stereotyped limits on people that they have proven to be able to bust through. So congrats on that.

I was completely wrong, but my point is still correct!

 

[Gator]

Let's face it, a girl with no arms and no legs could never be a cheerleader, just like a guy with one leg could never win an NCAA Division I wrestling title ... oh wait.