In addition to providing exercise and socialization to those with disabilities, the Upper Arlington Special Olympics team now has something else to cheer about.

For years, the UASO has offered year-round sports such as basketball, soccer, swimming and track to more than 40 children and adults with disabilities. Now it has added a new interactive experience – cheerleading.

“This program has been added to Upper Arlington Special Olympics for the first time this year,” says Stori Rex, local coordinator for the UASO. “I had the idea for cheerleading because I thought it would be fun for some of our younger athletes.”

So far, the cheerleading program has been successful, with planned events and a growing membership. Currently there are eight girls on the squad. They are scheduled to cheer at nine basketball games set for this season.

The USAO has received some community help jumpstarting the new program.

“I found a student varsity cheerleader from (Upper Arlington High School) who was interested in taking this project on as her senior capstone,” Rex says. “She is acting as the coach for the program and she is getting many things donated from her varsity squad, including pom-poms.”

With such enthusiastic participants, Rex hopes the new addition to the UASO will have longevity.

“We are hoping that another senior will take on this project as their senior capstone next year, and it will become an annual tradition,” she says.

Rex looks for the program to provide more than just exercise. She intends for it to lend participants an emotional boost, as well.

“My hope is that our athletes will gain confidence and get some exercise and, most of all, have fun,” she says.

This confidence, exercise and fun comes free of charge. Athletes and families do not pay to participate in the Special Olympics program, which is a self-sustaining, non-profit organization that does not receive funding from Special Olympics on a local, state or national level. One hundred percent of the UASO’s fundraising proceeds assist the sports programs and athletes, according to its Web site.

The UASO is always in need of youth and adult volunteers to help with activities and events. For more information, or to volunteer with the UASO, visit www.ua-so.org.  

Sarah Thompson is a contributing writer for Upper Arlington Magazine.