Bree Cox’s remarkable success in creating a high school drill team resonated deeply with people around the world.
Bree Cox has some exciting news to share with the world: she’s been selected for the high school drill team! A Utah child moved netizens to tears with pride and excitement as she told her father how her goal had finally come true. Bree, who has Down syndrome, has inspired many people by dispelling myths about the disease and opening doors for other people with the disability.
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The youngster’s mother, Kecia Cox, tells PEOPLE it’s been a “really touching” a couple of weeks since her daughter learned she made the Murray High School competitive dance team.
Bree is following in the footsteps of her older sisters Kyra, 18, and Adria, 16, both of whom she considers “role models” and who had a big influence on her decision to pursue dance. Over the years, she memorized all of Kyra and Adria’s dances and participated in each of their competitions, hoping that one day she would be on the team. Cox, who has a boy named Noah, five, twins Claire and Livvy, nine, and Mia, 14, with her husband Kris, says she wasn’t always sure if Bree’s wish would come true.
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“When Bree saw this new thing — not just classes at the dance studio next door, but they had to be on the soccer field, the basketball court, and part of the school — it lit her up in a whole different way,” the author noted. Bree “didn’t realize she had a handicap, and so she just decided to follow what [Kyra and Adrie] were doing. At the time, I wasn’t sure if she would ever make it, and if not, how was I supposed to explain it to her? It almost broke my heart. I don’t want to restrict her in any way, but I also want to keep her safe.
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We can shout about their value and qualities all day long, but if no one is interested in hearing it, we won’t get very far, Cox continued. But she didn’t let her fears stop Bree from pursuing her goal. The family “followed Bree’s example” and constantly motivated the teenager. At rehearsals, Bree and Adrie worked on their routines together, and when the time came, they each performed a dance performance in front of the judges and coaches. Bree claims that despite never having been on a team before, she wasn’t anxious.
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When she dances, she “just glows,” Cox recalled. He just walks in, gets on the floor, performs what he loves, and is most at home there. She doesn’t care what others think of her. Bree and Adrie received separate letters three days after tryouts informing them of their selection for the team. Bree was initially quite composed when she heard the news, according to Cox. The 42-year-old said: “When she was initially informed that she had made it, she said, ‘I know.’ Like no big deal— She was so happy. But when Bree told her dad about the amazing news later that night, she got emotional. Cox said of the cute scene that went viral on social media: “She’s never felt happy tears before .” “When she was sad, she cried. We didn’t know she would be so upset, but she said, “I’m not sad.”
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Bree clarified that she was simply sobbing because she was so happy and enjoying “being part of the group.”
If we went anywhere this week, including the doctor, she would say, “Mom, tell them,” according to Cox. I said, “Tell them what?” Tell them I made the practice squad, he says. The delighted mother hopes that as her daughter gets older, she will be able to cling to that sense of happiness and belonging.
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According to Cox, our main concern is that she never feels inferior to others because of her disability or that Down syndrome is something she wants to change. “Bree is happiest when she has a sense of belonging and can pursue her passions. We really couldn’t ask for more than for her to be in a place where she can do what she loves and is welcomed and treated as an equal. She belongs there, after all. You try to advocate for your children with special needs every day because you serve as their voice. So when these little triumphs happen, you think, “Okay, that was worth it. They are valued and someone sees them.
“She doesn’t want to discuss it, but she recognizes that she is unique and faces unique challenges. It was all worth it for us to have this time where she felt like everyone else. And amazingly, she was able to do that alongside her sister,” Cox continued. “It’s more than just a spot on the team; it’s for everyone to know it’s possible, not just our family. We can all take heart from the fact that there are more Brees out there, as well as coaches and teams who say, “Sure, we’ll make room for you.” It is often incredibly difficult to get others to believe and recognize children with disabilities. There are plenty of wonderful people who will be friendly and talk to you, but finding a place where they truly acknowledge and trust you is like entering a whole new planet. She deserves it and it’s beautiful.
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With tears in her eyes, Bree explained that her tears were not born of sadness, but rather of sheer happiness. She enjoyed the feeling of belonging, of being part of a group. Cox recounted how Bree eagerly shared news of her success with everyone they met, exclaiming, “Mommy, tell them!” Bree’s enthusiasm and pride were contagious. Cox expressed her desire for Bree to maintain this sense of joy and belonging as she continues to grow.