Expert: Kiki Quach - 2/4/2010

Question
Madam,Sir:
Hello!  I am Dina Regina Asuncion, a 3rd year Mass Communication student from Far Eastern University in Philippines. I just want to ask some questions about cheer leading accidents and its traumatic effect. Hope you can answer some of my questions.
1.Do you agree that cheering is dangerous?
2.Do you have any patient who had a trauma because of cheer leading?
3.What are the ways you do to heal a person who had a traumatic experience in cheer leading?
4.What do you think are the possible after effects of accidents on a cheerleader psychologically?
5.What are the mental illnesses they get they will possibly get after the accident?
6.How long is the healing process of a cheerleader who has been traumatized?
7.In your opinion, why do students wants to join cheer leading?
8.What are your advices to help a cheerleader regain his/her health?
9.Why do their parents allow their son/daughter to join cheer leading?
10.After knowing cheer leading and its negative side, do you still suggest joining in cheer leading?
Thank you!

Noted:
Dina Regina Asuncion

Answer
Hey. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
1) I believe it is dangerous, but it is safe as long as you take baby steps into it, minimizing risks, and can be confident in yourself as well as your team.
2) I haven't met a cheerleader without any real trauma. Sure, there are some mental blocks from tumbling or stunting, but nothing too bad.
3) I would let them take baby steps to work their way back into the place they once were.
4) Accidents in cheer can make people scared to do the skill again, but also, some cheerleaders believe that they're "stupid" for letting the accident happen in the first place. Sometimes, it can even fire a cheerleader up to make sure they get it right the next time they try it.
5) Most cheerleaders will get a little depressed, not usually a major case.
6) I wouldn't know. It depends on the cheerleader, I suppose.
7) A lot of people do it for popularity/to be accepted. Another reason is just because they find it fun or see the sport as beautiful.
8)  Work hard, but take baby steps towards the goal. You can't instantly just go back to what you were doing, so don't push yourself so hard.
9) Because they want to see their kids be happy. Some parents do it because they were also a cheerleader in their past.
10) OF COURSE! Cheerleading can give you the best feeling ever when you accomplish something. Most of the time, accidents are minor and rarely happen at all.