October 20, 2019 at 10:43PM
Bella Martinez from Los Angeles, California, has become a collegiate cheerleader with an intellectual disability at John F. Kennedy High School.
The 14-year-old has Down syndrome, but that hasn't stopped her from making the cheer team and thriving in high school.
She is like any other teenager: She goes to school, does her homework, and has no problem talking about boys, according to ABC7.
A cheer coach for JFK High School Elizabeth Ortiz said, "She's like the one that encourages the boys on the sideline, she does like her own little chants. And that's fun to see because she has her personality, and it comes from her and within. She's just a natural cheerleader."
Her parents and two brothers have seen her grow substantially throughout the years, more than they could have imagined.
Bella's mom Yuri Martinez, advised other parents who have children with Down syndrome that don't underestimate the child's potential, don't set any upper limits, and "they'll show you their personality because every single child has their own individuality, even kids with Down syndrome."
Bella Martinez from Los Angeles, California, has become a collegiate cheerleader with an intellectual disability at John F. Kennedy High School.
The 14-year-old has Down syndrome, but that hasn't stopped her from making the cheer team and thriving in high school.
She is like any other teenager: She goes to school, does her homework, and has no problem talking about boys, according to ABC7.
A cheer coach for JFK High School Elizabeth Ortiz said, "She's like the one that encourages the boys on the sideline, she does like her own little chants. And that's fun to see because she has her personality, and it comes from her and within. She's just a natural cheerleader."
Her parents and two brothers have seen her grow substantially throughout the years, more than they could have imagined.
Bella's mom Yuri Martinez, advised other parents who have children with Down syndrome that don't underestimate the child's potential, don't set any upper limits, and "they'll show you their personality because every single child has their own individuality, even kids with Down syndrome."