tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421824649693109748.post2622953553111412256..comments2008-04-24T18:16:33.592ZLaanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09206799121622681828noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421824649693109748.post-22364435617802461602008-04-22T11:58:00.000Z2008-04-22T11:58:00.000ZLaane Hi. New to your blog. This was a well written post. I had no idea of the statistics but they do not surprise me any. On those rare occasions when I channel surf and happen upon one of those cheerleading competitions, while fascinated at the acrobatics, at the back of my head I've always thought about the extreme aspect of something that used to look so simple and relatively stress free. Those girls and boys smile so falsely while they are engaging in their acrobatics that it is as if they had an eternal rictus. When did cheerleading take on this intense and die hard coloring? Either way, for me, it has about the same risk factor as gymnastics. I would not allow a child of mine (don't have a daughter yet) to go for either one of these sports. We cannot prevent the odd injury from happening to a child who becomes involved in some sport activity but we can (as parents) set limits to the expanded risks of intense athletic endeavors. I live down the street from Mary Lou Retton, the gymnast. She is close to my age and has had all sorts of medical problems not to mention surgeries for the damage occasioned to her muscles and bones due to all she went through in order to get the Olympic medal. She is someone to be admired for her achievements but what a price to pay for them...Gypsy at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17106152285952023602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421824649693109748.post-57846051507020341182008-04-21T23:12:00.001Z2008-04-21T23:12:00.001ZPS<BR/>Thanks for stopping by my blog!Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947271410329103836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421824649693109748.post-43888613532386487962008-04-21T23:12:00.000Z2008-04-21T23:12:00.000ZI've always had concerns about cheerleading from one vantage point or the other. Meanness seems to run rampant, over zelous parents, injuries and deaths, etc. Over all it has never sounded that great to me.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947271410329103836noreply@blogger.com