Team Palladium, a special needs cheer team, performed during halftime at the Brownwood Lady Lions basketball game recently and continues to perform for and inspire their audiences.
The team was formed in July of 2014, performing at a cheer competition in Garland, as well as other local performances. According to their Coach Kristin Wade at SEAL Gymnastics and CheerZone, they have been invited to the Amazing Competition produced by Spirit Celebrations and will be traveling to San Antonio to perform in April.
Members Addy Bowman, Autumn Fought, Chloe Williams, Meghan Finley and Kasidee Harvey inspire their audiences by refusing to let their disabilities stop them from being cheerleaders. The girls are coached by elite athletes and coaches of SEAL All-Star Cheer Teams.
Physical Therapist, Angie Cox, volunteers her time to the team and has trained the staff to help learn each athlete’s needs. This has been an amazing advantage for the team as few gyms have their own physical therapist, according to Wade.
Wade explained the purpose of the team, “Our goal is to give these athletes the experience of performing in front of a crowd. We have never had a crowd let us down. They all see how truly wonderful these athletes are.”
Wade she is inspired by the girls just like the audiences that get to see them in action.
“I can’t really describe the feeling you get coaching these athletes. They each have their own unique hurdles and yet they conquer them beautifully, every single day,” Wade said. “They teach us lessons every single time we are together for a practice or a performance. Once you have worked with this team, your heart and view on life is changed forever.”
The mothers of the girls on the team have made a tough decision allowing them to be on display during performances. One mother, Kim Harvey, is a coach at Brownwood Middle School. She explained that many kids with disabilities do not have the chance to participate in things such as dance or gymnastics because these activities require participants to be “potty trained,” which some special needs children are not able to control or learn. Team Palladium does not have that requirement, allowing children that are physically able but developmentally delayed to participate despite their challenges.
Harvey further explained that her other two children are involved in sports and that now with Team Palladium, her 6-year-old daughter Kasidee can be a part of something. This has increased Kasidee’s self esteem too according to Harvey.
“Team Palladium has given these girls an opportunity to do something that otherwise they would not have, plus it helps promote community awareness,” said Harvey. She explained that there are activities for disabled children that many of their families aren’t aware of, and hopefully through publicity of the team’s activities, more of these children will become involved.
The families of the girls face many struggles, medically, emotionally and financially due to their children’s disabilities and because of this, 19 local businesses and special friends have donated their uniforms and help with the cost of Team Palladium’s activities.
Harvey stated that the team will be taking a trip to Morgan’s Wonderland, an amusement park that is specifically designed for disabled and special needs children on Easter weekend.
Another mother, Charity Adams, stated that seeing her daughter, Chloe Williams, perform has been amazing for her and has helped her daughter develop her abilities and inspire others.
“Being a parent to a special a needs child isn’t always is easy, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am watching God work within my daughter,” said Adams. “I am so blessed to see the changes that her and what her team has brought to this community. They are truly the meaning of heroes.”
Team member Meghan (Finley) Davis struggles with a traumatic brain injury she received at birth, according to her mother. She began cheer at Blanket ISD with the 5th and 6th graders, but has really blossomed with Team Palladium. Her mother, Meagan Davis stated that little Meghan is “starting to notice she is a different from other girls and is not sure how to understand why she is different.” Through her activities with the team, Meghan has been able to grow in confidence and helps the younger girls. Mrs. Davis stated, “This is fun for us (the parents) because they enjoy it so much.”
Above and below are photos of Team Palladium during their performance at last Friday’s Lady Lions halftime.
