Missy’s life now full of cheer

Missy Carrington with coach Samantha O’Mara

A TALENTED 10-year-old cheerleader has beaten the odds to represent Oldham at the National Streetcheer Competition.

Missy Carrington, from Haigh Lane, Chadderton, was diagnosed with asperger’s syndrome, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder two years ago.

The conditions make it difficult for Missy to concentrate, as well as make friends and interact socially. She also suffers from co-ordination problems and compulsive rituals.

But a chance visit to a cheerleading session in February run by Oldham Athletic Football Club’s Blue Crew has seen Missy overcome her difficulties to become star of the team.

After just nine months, she has been voted Cheerleader of the Year 2010 by the club and will represent them in the National Streetcheer Competition in Stoke next month.

Her mother Samantha Wood (39) admitted she had not heard of asperger’s until Missy’s diagnosis and thought she was misbehaving.

But she said the work of the Blue Crew teachers, and especially Samantha O’Mara, has transformed both her and her daughter’s lives. The mother-of-three said: “Watching her perform makes me cry, she has progressed so much.

“When Missy first went to a half-term street cheer session with a neighbour, she thought she’d be tripping everyone up and they would all be falling out with her. But she absolutely loved it and has never looked back.”

Missy now attends Blue Crew sessions in Chadderton twice a week and performs at Boundary Park at home games.

Ms Wood said the training has given Missy the skills to cope with the challenges caused by her conditions.

And said believes her daughter will do well at the national competition because she is not afraid of performing in front of crowds.

She said: “Missy said streetcheer is an outlet for her asperger’s, she feels like a normal girl during those hours.

Her teachers at Chadderton Hall Junior School have said her confidence has grown and her concentration has improved.

“She is a very happy child and her team mates are so kind.

“The teachers, including Samantha, put their heart and soul into everything they do, it has changed Missy’s life.