Fort Myers Falcons Cheerabilities squad gives special needs kids place to shine

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The Falcons Cheerabilities squad is redefining what it means to win by giving kids with special needs a place to shine.

Head Coach Sharde Walker has been legally blind since birth, but that has never stopped her from leading. She believes in pushing her athletes to reach their full potential, no matter the obstacles.

"Just because I cannot see does not mean I cannot coach," Walker said.

For Walker, coaching is about setting goals and watching her team surpass them. She emphasizes perseverance and determination in every practice.

"You give them a goal, they reach their goal. You give them another goal, they reach it again. Just keep on going. There's no I can't, there's no I'm giving up. We just keep trying," Walker said.

The team is built on belief and family. Walker teaches her athletes that their potential is limitless.

"These athletes work just as hard as the regular kids, the mainstream kids, they want the same as the mainstream kids. And I teach these kids that the sky is not the limits. It is beyond the limits. The sky is the beginning. You can do whatever you want to do. You can put your mind to do whatever you want to do and achieve it," Walker said.

Success for the Cheerabilities squad doesn't come from a scoreboard. It comes from kids building confidence and growing as a team.

For parents like Megan Hraha, the impact goes far beyond the field. Her son Robert has found a place where he isn't judged for his disability.

"He's not judged for you know what his disability is, or what comes with autism and ADHD, they can be loud, but out here, he can do that, and he's not seen differently," Hraha said.

Hraha has watched Robert grow not just as an athlete, but as a person. The skills he learns on the field translate to his everyday life.

"It helped him come out of his shell. And here he has to follow directions and be a part of a team, and all of that applies individually, to his own therapies and his own things that he works on every single day to help him be successful. And part of society," Hraha said.

Team Captain Tiera Evans has learned the value of being herself. She appreciates being around people who respect her for who she is.

"I learned that being myself and being myself with other people that are like their self too is like, great to be around people that respect you," Evans said.

Athena Williamson, another member of the Cheerabilities squad, enjoys the competitive spirit and the lessons in kindness. She values treating others with respect.

"I like competitions, and I always like being kind to others and treat them respectfully," Williamson said.

The Falcons Cheerabilities squad practices at Brooks Park, where every child and coach belongs.