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FAME: Renovo boy finds second family in Bellefonte based cheerleading group

RENOVO -- When nine-year-old Slade Thompson wanted to play basketball -- an activity most of the kids his age takes for granted -- his parents, Layla and Corey Anthony, quickly realized that unfortunately it just wasn't a sport currently meant for their son.

Like T-ball before it, typical youth sports were not something that could be done safely for the youngster who has already overcome setbacks well beyond his age.

Slade, who is on the autism spectrum, had started walking on his toes while he was beginning to walk. As time went on the toddler, and then youngster, continued to walk on his toes until one day his mom realized that he could no longer touch his feet flat to the floor.

His tendons and ligaments had become so hardened that they had to perform an Achilles tendon lengthening surgery that included cutting and reattaching his Achilles tendons.

Slade's recovery began by being in a wheelchair for five months and leg braces after that, following the surgery at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital.

Balance issues and concerns of running on hard surfaces caused his parents to realize they would have to think outside of the box, since they didn't want their son missing out on being part of a team -- something that he had really talked about and wished for.

After searching for something that Slade could be a part of, Layla came across the FAME Cheerleading group out of Bellefonte.

FAME offers Cheer Abilities Angels, a team made up just for people like Slade. Layla said the fit was perfect and instant.

Soon, Tuesdays had Slade and his family going to practices in Bellefonte and eventually competing throughout central Pennsylvania.

Slade found his spot on the team as a base. It turned out his plight made Slade stronger physically, as well as mentally -- as the seemingly always happy kid now had even bigger reasons to smile.

The 4th grade student at Renovo Elementary, where his teacher is Mrs. Bottorf, looks forward to the school night trips to Bellefonte for practices with his newfound friends, and seemingly, family.

"I was a little worried it was too advanced for him at first, but the way that the FAME coaches helped and treated him made us all feel welcomed immediately," Layla recalls of the first practices back in the fall, "Chrissy Grove, Josh Wiedner and Skip Headings have just been terrific from day one. We're so thankful, they make not just the kids but all of us feel like family."

Layla said the FAME team members from the elite team -- Ben Grove and Kyla Dreibelbis -- spend their own time helping the members of the abilities team.

Secret handshakes, holiday parties and personalized t-shirts, uniforms and jackets have left the nine-year-old having no doubt that he is part of a community and team that has welcomed him with open arms.

Slade's wish of becoming part of a team would have been enough on its own, but the camaraderie of his team and meets has exceeded his parents' wishes.

Still, it was at the first meet in Tyrone where the Abilities Angels experience truly hit his family.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the place, Slade and the others were officially a team, competing and having fun against the others, it was a moment none of us will forget." Layla said.

This past week saw the abilities team take first place in a Johnstown meet, where thousands of people were in the stands for the day-long event.

"We're just so thankful for FAME, this has truly meant the world for Slade and given him the chance to make friends and be a part of a team, something that hasn't always been easy for him, but he's certainly found his place on this team," Layla said.