Injured cheerleader gives back

It hasn't even been a year since Abby Strohmetz raised money for an underprivileged child to take cheerleading lessons.

On Jan. 30, though, Abby's cheering day almost ended.

During a competition, the 13-year-old was performing a movement in the air which she had never faltered on.

Something went horribly wrong.

The Warner Robins Middle School eighth-grader landed on her head.

"I just kinda froze," said her mother, Marina Strohmetz, who was at the competition.

Abby ended up finishing the routine, probably on pure adrenaline she said, but was attended to by paramedics after she started screaming in pain. An ambulance was called and she was rushed to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

Two of her vertebrae, C-2 and C-3, were twisted and Abby had suffered a severe concussion.

Fortunately, the injury has corrected itself through the use of a neck brace which she has worn since her fall.

"The doctors told us how lucky she was. Most people with her injury never walk again," Marina Strohmetz said.

Although she still has lingering headaches, she has been cleared to return to cheerleading in a few weeks.

Abby is eager to get back to cheering. Her mother supports her decision. "I don't want her to live in fear. I'm not going to hold her back," said Marina Strohmetz.

As with any sport, cheerleading has its risks and Abby and her mother know them.

"It was a freak accident," Marina Strohmetz said.

Daniel and Katie Satterfield, the owners of the cheerleading facility Tumblecheer Heroes in Perry, have called Abby every day to ask how she is.

Throughout her healing process, friends and teammates have stopped by or messaged her to tell Abby they are thinking about her and to wish her a speedy recovery.

Because of all the support, Abby, with her spirit of giving, wants to give back again to someone else who perhaps has suffered a physical injury like hers.

Abby and her mother want to give that child a scooter.

"I want to give it to someone who is ill or recovering from an injury who will really enjoy it," she said.

So far, the family hasn't had much luck finding a child who could use the scooter. They have tried Facebook posts with no success.

Abby and Marina Strohmetz are asking for anyone wishing to inquire about the gift, contact them via e-mail at rinas4kids.ms@gmail.com.

"I want someone else to get as much attention as me," Abby said.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Injured cheerleader gives back ."