“Because it’s OK if people call us different. It’s a good difference, right Emma? We’re in it together,” stated Addy Sweny.
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — Two greatest associates squared off just lately at a JV soccer sport in North Richland Hills. But regardless that they have been, technically, opponents, Addy and Emma have been actually rooting for one another.
“We’ve been friends I think for seven years,” Addy Sweny stated.
“Yeah, seven years,” Emmy Perez answered.
Friends who shared the identical dream.
Both women have Down syndrome. They met at a cheerleading camp these seven years in the past. And, from the beginning, hoped they’d make it to their highschool cheerleading groups sometime — included with everybody else.
“I like cheerleading because I can show off my school spirit,” Addy stated.
“I like doing the stunts,” Emma added.
“I’ve wanted to be a cheerleader since I was like little,” Addy stated. “And it’s been like a dream come true.”
A dream got here true as a result of on that Thursday evening, they have been competing but in addition residing their dream collectively.
Emma is on the cheerleading group for the Richland Royals. Addy is on the cheerleading group for the Birdville Hawks. And because the JV soccer groups competed on the sector, Addy and Emma, waving and catching a glimpse of one another all through the sport, cheered for his or her respective groups.
“I cannot tell you the dreams they have made come true for my child for sure,” Addy’s mother LeAnn Sweny stated. “To watch her be able to take something she’s passionate about and that she loves and do it for her school is incredible to me.”
“Just ask. If your kid wants to do something whether it’s choir, football or cheerleading, anything. Just ask and see what they’re willing to do,” stated Emma’s mother Mallory Foster.
“These kids are so much more like other kids than they are different,” LeAnn Sweny added.
“Different is OK. Different is a good difference,” stated Addy. “Because it’s OK if people call us different. It’s a good difference, right Emma? We’re in it together.”
And collectively with teammates, who admit that as associates and classmates, are studying a helpful inclusion message, too.
“I think it helps us be more sensitive to people with disabilities,” stated Emma’s fellow cheerleader Makenna Dearing. “I think it just like helps us be better people in our society.”
“Just having fun, showing everybody positivity and I think it really spreads that,” stated Addy’s teammate Amelie Archer.
“I think it’s absolutely precious and you can tell that they really support one another even though they’re on opposite teams,” stated Birdville cheerleading coach Cassidy Lakota.
“Showing the inclusiveness is what makes us what we call a family here,” stated Richland assistant JV cheer coach Sharon Baskerville.
As for Addy and Emma, they hope you do not see two women with Down syndrome. They simply need you to see two extra cheerleaders overflowing with college spirit.
And that maybe a crowd of soccer followers and fogeys and college students and lecturers see that goals and potentialities are for everybody.
“Just tell them that you can. Just believe in yourself, ” stated Addy.
“Do you believe in yourself,” I requested her.
“Yes,” Addy answered. “And I believe in Emma. Because she’s my best friend.”
And how are you going to not cheer for that.
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