A teenager who was diagnosed with cancer as a toddler and has one leg 3cm shorter than the other will be captain of Scotland's team at an international cheer competition.
Summer Wroniecki, 14, from Cupar, Fife started Highland dancing at aged just two-and-a-half but was diagnosed with cancer a day after her third birthday. After she underwent gruelling cancer treatment, the young girl started learning cheer routines aged four years old.
Summer was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer which started in her muscles and endured several operations and is still having physio to this day. Her first hip operation took place on April 3 2015 but was faced with a further setback just a couple of months later when she broke her leg.
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A piece of metal was inserted in June 2015 and she had to wait six months before she could take part in cheerleading again. As the Daily Record reports, she went to training to feel like part of the team and gone from strength to strength. With specially adapted shoes, she doesn't let her shorter leg hold her back.
Now Summer is looking forward to competing in Florida in April in the International Cheer Union hip hop category, and was thrilled to be given the backing of her peer group who chose her as the captain. The dance style is derived from acrobatic moves, including handsprings and flips and Summer adds that some of the moves include waving hands to look like a 'cool effect'.
She will be in Florida for nine days and her parents, Karen and Chris said they were delighted she had come so far.
Summer has a pair of adapted Converse trainers with a wedge heel to make it easier to take part, and is hoping to find sponsors for her trip.
Summer said: "I've seen Bring It On but I don't watch a lot of music videos. I had cancer treatment for six months but had to get checked over a five year period.
"I do dance in Converse shoes with a heel, I wear them on a daily basis. If it's hard I just try and do my best, if I can't do it I try a new skill.
"I've never been to America before, it's going to be amazing. It will be really good, there's 18 or 19 of us in the team. I'm a bit nervous but excited to go."
She added: "My school friends are quite proud and excited. I like all the tricks and stuff like flipping over.
"I'm not old enough to do exams yet but I do have homework. The competition was cancelled in 2020 but I'm more confident now."
She said being voted to be captain was like being the team's big sister.
Summer added: "You make sure everyone is doing it right and happy with what they are doing. If not I can help them."
After breaking her leg Summer had to wait six or seven months before she could do cheerleading again. She now plans to go to the gym to help with strength training.
During lockdown she had to do physio on Teams and exercise at home in Cupar. Mum-of-two Karen, 46, said: "Summer started dancing at two-and-a-half years old.
"She started doing Highland Dancing and proved very capable. We found out she had cancer the day after her third birthday.
"She carried on doing her dancing as well as she could. She did Highland Dancing then went onto tap, ballet and modern.
"It was taking up a lot of her week. We are delighted she got made team captain.
"She's been chosen for a reason, her teammates must like her. We are over the moon for her and extremely proud she's got as far as she has."
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