Special-needs cheerleaders inspire at world competition

Warming up backstage at the Cheerleading Worlds Competition in Orlando on April 28, minutes before her squad would perform in front of almost 10,000 people, coach Kelley Layton was struck by her squad's poise.

"I'm surprised they weren't about to run out of the building, because I know I was," Layton said. "I was so nervous, but they were at their best and ready to show the crowd what they were made of."

What made the Charmers Cheerleading Squad's confidence so notable was how far they had come. The team comprises 14 girls and boys aged 7 to 15, all with a disability such as Down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy.

The Charmers were the only special needs squad at this year's Worlds competition, performing alongside 400 elite cheerleading squads from more than 40 countries. On the sport's biggest stage, their routine earned them recognition as world champions.

"It was more than anything we had anticipated," said Laura Barten of Wauconda, whose daughter Lydia has been on the squad for three years. "They were absolutely amazing. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Layton runs an athletic center in Ringwood, where she started the team in 2009, looking to offer the activity to special needs children who don't have access to typical cheerleading squads. The kids come from towns in Lake and McHenry counties and southern Wisconsin.

With the help of an assistant coach and nine volunteers, the group practices weekly and has performed at several local and national competitions leading up to the Worlds.

The squad received a bid to perform at the competition in Orlando last May, but had to raise $36,000 to fund the trip. In about eight months, the squad was able to generate the money with extensive fundraising efforts and an outpouring of support from friends, family and local businesses.

"I really didn't think it was possible," Layton said. "The support we received was incredible."

That support continued at the Worlds competition, where their performance garnered a standing ovation from the standing room-only crowd.

"Their development has been spectacular. We set expectations higher and higher, and the kids keep blowing us away," Layton said. "The experience of performing can be overwhelming for anyone, but they handle it so well."

Lydia Barten, 11, said her teammates are her favorite part of cheerleading with the Charmers.

"I like being with my friends," Lydia said.

Though the Charmers will enjoy their trophy and medals for now, it's not long before they start practicing for the next cheerleading season. Layton said they would begin by the end of the month.

"They've really learned how to work as a team," Layton said. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and I can't wait to see where we go next."