1.10.2010

the most dangerous sport?

Lisa Ling recently reported on a Nightline story on the athletic activity that might possibly be the most dangerous sport for young girls in America -- cheerleading: Most Dangerous 'Sport' of All May Be Cheerleading.

Cheerleading, an iconic American pastime, is more popular than ever. But as competitive cheerleading has exploded, so has the degree of difficulty -- and the number emergency room visits attributed to cheer-related accidents.

Two of the cheerleading accident victims featured in the story are Asian American: Lauren Chang, who died during a cheer competition when an accidental kick to the chest caused her lungs to collapse, and Patty Phommanyvong, whose cheerleading accident left her with permanent paralysis.

Patty will never walk again, and can only communicate by blinking. The Phommanyvongs are now suing their daughter's school, claiming that the school did not respond properly to her injury. Read the article, and watch the segment here.

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