image: http://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/council-grove-highschool-150x150.jpg

As she smiled broadly, blue and gold pom poms clutched in her hands, it is hard to believe this is an experience Council Grove High School freshman Kolbie Davis nearly didn’t have.

Her mom, Jeannette, says she and her husband, Jamie, considered holding their 15-year-old daughter out of high school. Kolbie was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a condition which cut off oxygen to her brain. It caused permanent damage and developmental delays. Jeannette feared Kolbie wouldn’t be able to handle the high school environment.

“I was very concerned for her being in the hallway with a lot of kids and all the noise and the interaction between teenagers,” Jeannette said.

While Jeannette, Jamie and Kolbie’s eight-year-old brother Will, knew how loving and positive Kolbie could be, they worried how she would do around other teenagers. Plus, Jeannette says, Kolbie would not speak very much and was often frightened or confused by loud noise or a lot of activity.

Still, they took a chance. One day, the school’s cheerleading coach filled in as Kolbie’s para and brought her to practice. Kolbie was immediately hooked, saying she loves everything about cheerleading. (Read more on how the small school in Kansas makes a big difference HERE)