Without Limits - Team Galaxy SO Cheer

Without Limits - Team Galaxy SO Cheer Team was originated by Kati Hassall in the fall of 2019 after Cheer became sanctioned as a recognized sport for Special Olympics International. Unfortunately, this new team had to put everything on pause due to the pandemic. Then in July 2021, Lisa Elbe volunteered to reinstate the team. The team quickly took off and now has grown to include almost 40 members, ranging in age from 11-30yrs old, as well as a variety of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and DDX3X syndrome. The team continues to perform at local Special Olympic events and other community events and parades. The new Without Limits - Team Galaxy SO Cheer Team became the first Special Olympics Cheer Team of its kind in Southern Illinois. One month into the team's new inception, they were invited to perform in the Dance the Magic parade in Disney's Magic Kingdom and performed on the Beauty and the Beast stage in Disney's MGM Hollywood Studios in December of 2022. Additionally, the team was one of 5 US Special Olympics Cheer Teams invited to perform at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany, in June 2023. For our team to be only 1 of 5 teams in the US chosen is just a tremendous honor and an incredible opportunity! Additionally, October of 2023 this team was chosen to represent the USA at the 2024 ICU World Cheerleading Championships this April in Orlando, FL. They were chosen for the Performance Cheer Categories of Pom and Hip Hop. They not only competed but they brought became 2X World Champions!!! This Without Limits Special Olympics Cheer Team is just that - they have no limits!!

This team has just taken off! Here is a list of some of their many accomplishments:

Unfortunately, the team does not receive funding from Special Olympics at this time, but we hope that will change as the program continues to grow. We have many expenses to keep this team thriving and growing: Uniforms, Warm Ups, Bags, Backpacks, shoes, Hair Bows, Pom-Pons, Megaphones, Cheer Signs, Flags, Music, Choreography, Parade Equipment, Administrative, Competition Entry Fees, and a very large Travel Expense. We would appreciate any support you could give our team. With your donation, you are not just helping to give these cheerleaders with special needs opportunities they or their parents never thought would be possible, but you will literally be helping to make their dreams a reality!!