Today’s post has its origins in Iowa, where both DifferentDream.com and Sparkle Effect have their headquarters.

Sparkle Effect: Special Needs Cheerleading Squad Organization

A post about The Sparkle Effect at Love That Max (perhaps my fave blog about special needs) finally grabbed my attention. Maybe you’ve already heard about Sparkle – the cheerleaders from Bettendorf, Iowa who started a special needs cheerleading squad for girls, ages 8 – 15.

I’m not going to repeat the whole story, just direct you to Ellen Seidman’s post at  Love That Max. The entry consists of an interview with Sparkle Effect co-founder, Sarah Cronk, and loads of amazing statistics. Here are a few to pique your curiousity:

• Sparkle Effect is a national organization that encourages teens to include students with disabilities—including Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy—in high-school cheerleading programs.
• So far, there are 27 Sparkle special needs cheerleading squads in 18 states.
• This month, Sarah will be given a Prudential Spirit of Community Award in Washington, DC.

Learn More About the Sparkle Effect

You can learn more at  www.TheSparkleEffect.org. At the site, you can watch videos of the special needs cheerleading squad, download an information kit about starting a squad, and read more articles about the Bettendorf, Iowa cheerleaders and other squads popping up around the country.

This old Iowa girl is busting her buttons, she’s so proud of the movement these young Iowa girls have started. We Iowans have always known there’s more to our state than corn, pigs, and the Iowa State Fair. Thanks to the Sparkle Effect, you now know Iowans have hearts as big as Texas, too!

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