During a rough summer that included surgery, a hospital stay and rehab, 10-year-old Madelyne Williams always set the pace for everyone around her to have a smile and an upbeat attitude.
The Kent Roosevelt High School cheerleaders recognized Madelyne’s “can do” spirit and invited her to join them on the field during their season opening football game on Aug. 28 against Cuyahoga Falls.
“That was Madelyne’s big day out after her surgery,” said her mom, Wendy McNair. “Madelyne’s older brother, Brendan, and sister, Lauren, attend Kent Roosevelt – Lauren is in the marching band – and Madelyne has always been mesmerized by the cheerleaders. They invited her to join them for some cheers and she talked about it all week.”
This past week, Madelyne joined the cheerleaders again in the 4th quarter as the Roosevelt Roughriders took on Stow-Munroe Falls.
“What an amazing group of girls and an amazing coach,” said Wendy. “Now, more than ever, Madelyne wants to be a cheerleader!”
Madelyne is a 5th grader at Davey Elementary School. Born premature at 26 weeks and weighing just 1 lb., 9 oz., she spent her first 3 months in Akron Children’s neonatal intensive care unit.
In her short 10 years, she has been hospitalized more than than 35 times for issues related to cerebral palsy and chronic lung diseases.
In 2014, Madelyne represented Akron Children’s during an advocacy day in Washington, D.C., for the Children’s Hospital Association, and every year she is the inspiration for “Team Madelyne,” a fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy at the Cleveland Triathlon.
Advocate, triathlete, philanthropist. Just add “cheerleader” to the list of hats worn by this special girl. And we are hoping many more Friday Night Lights will shine brightly on Madelyne!
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