'We saw the light in her eyes': 9-year-old deaf cheerleader defying odds
A deaf child from Riviera Beach is defying the odds and inspiring young athletes. Nine-year-old Brooklyn Cooper is deaf but that is not stopping her from being a part of the cheer team.
Brooklyn has been deaf since the age of 2 and she is showing the world that nothing is impossible even with a disability.
“It was kinda difficult because she’s never cheered before, never has had to be on count with beats," says Brooklyn's mom, Elizabeth Cooper.
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What started off as difficult has now turned into a hobby for Brooklyn. From competing outside of Florida to collecting medals, Brooklyn has impressed all those around her, including cheer coach, Sheila Ross.
“First competition came and went, we saw the light in her eyes, and her mom is like 'where do we go from here--' we just said one competition and I said I am not a coach if I don’t make it through the season," says Coach Ross.
Brooklyn is the only cheerleader on her team who is deaf, but that didn't stop Coach Ross from letting her on.
"Never give up on what you want to do in life, focus on your abilities and not your disabilities," Coach Ross said.
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Brooklyn typically depends on her cochlear implants to hear, but not while she's competing.
“Usually I’m holding my breath during the performance and after I am the one crying because I am so proud. So proud," says Cooper.
Brooklyn's support team hopes she serves as an inspiration to others with disabilities.
“I hope she will be an inspiration to others, just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can't do something — you just work a little harder at it," says Cooper.