It is not just about cheerleading or missing a National Competition

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My grand daughter has had a rough year this year. Earlier this year she was having a lot of problems with her back. She said even as a young child her back bothered her on and off. She never complained about it back then. Last year it got to be so bad that she went to see her doctor and they ran a bunch of tests and it came back that she has scoliosis (curvature of the spine). It was a shock to all of us and to her of course. When she first was diagnosed she thought she would never be able to cheer again. Her heart was broken thinking of what her future would be like but after visiting a chiropractor regularly for the past number of months her spine was straightened out and she is doing well. But there is no cure or fix. It is something that she will live with for the rest of her life. She will eventually need to have back surgery. She is only 4'10" and she will never grow any taller but that is a good thing because if she grew there would be more pressure on her spine and a surgery would be needed much sooner. Not only did she end up on her high school cheer team but she also cheers on the city team. The team she was going to Montreal with to represent the city. So Nationals was a big deal because this would be her last year with this team. She had decided two teams were too much and she wanted to focus on getting a part time job and saving money to help with her education. She wants to be a physiotherapist. She is more than just a cheerleader..she is a 16 year old high honors student who studies and works hard to get those marks. She is a musician who plays many different instruments. She is a good kid, has good friends and is very respectful and kind. She is an old soul. She works hard and is committed to everything she does. She is my granddaughter and my pride and job and when she hurts I hurt. My daughter has done a great job raising her. It wasn't always easy. She doesn't know what her futures holds but she is not going to let scoliosis define who she is and she won't let a broken hand keep her down. She will bounce back but yes she is disappointed once again. She has already had a rough year and now this. Sorry this is so long but I wasn't here at the time she was diagnosed and I just want to get this out there. It is not just about cheerleading.......