The smallest cheerleaders at the top of the pyramid are called flyers…which is what they usually do as they’re tossed into the air during a stunt. 16-year-old Sukie Hernandez, a Blue Valley sophomore, is a flyer on her squad. She was accidentally kicked in the head by a teammate during a cheerleading competition in May. She immediately showed signs of concussion, and has been treated by a specialist at The Sports Medicine and Performance Center at The University of Kansas Health System since. It’s been a long summer of treatment for Suki, but at last, she was cleared to resume her sport by Dr. Jean-Philippe Darche, a former Chiefs football player turned sports medicine doctor, who has been treating Sukie. In the video, Dr. Darche describes the different sports that can cause a concussion…some that most people wouldn’t think of. He talks about Sukie’s progress during her visit earlier this summer and her prognosis for getting back to her sport in time for school this fall. Also on the video is Sukie Hernandez, who talks during her early summer doctor’s visit about what happened and the symptoms she experienced. Her mom, Teddi Hernandez, describes how scary it was seeing her daughter unable to remember anything about the accident, and unable to focus. She also talks about the remarkable progress Sukie has made on her way toward her goal of returning in time for school. She also loves the fact that Dr. Darche, a former athlete, talks to Sukie as a fellow athlete.
Following that on the video are Suki and her mom at Suki’s first cheerleading performance of the season in September, talking about her recovery and how excited she is to be back on the field. The video also shows Suki and her squad performing at her school’s football game.
