Meet Lacey Parker. She, like many other 10-year-old girls, dreamt of being a cheerleader. Lacey also happens to suffer from down syndrome. She wanted to be a cheerleader for North Desoto Middle School in Stonewall, La. ever since her older sister joined the team.
“Down syndrome is a label, it’s not who she is. She’s an amazing little girl who strives to do whatever she wants to do,” said Renee Parker, Lacey’s mom.
Lacey’s mom told a local Stonewall television station that the school’s cheer coach and principal encouraged Lacey to try out for the squad. One of Lacey’s sisters recorded her reaction when she found out she made it.
“She’s never said ‘I can’t,’ she’s never wanted anybody to treat her different. She’s always told us ‘I just want to be like everybody else,'” said Renee.
Lacey is no stranger to exceeding expectations. When she was born, doctors told her parents that she wouldn’t live longer than ten days. Ten years later, Lacey is the newest member of the North Desoto cheerleading team.
(Via For The Win)
