A Tragic Cheering Accident
By FNC Reporter Anita Vogel
It’s hard to look at the video of 19-year-old Patty Phommannyong. She was vibrant with her whole life ahead of her until her tragic accident.
Patty was taking part in a high-flying cheerleading stunt when something went terribly wrong, causing her heart to stop. She fell into a coma and is now paralyzed and lives in a nursing home. Her parents are devastated and drowning in medical bills.
What happened? A lack of supervision say officials involved in the cheerleading industry.
Cheerleading has become the single most dangerous girls sport – responsible for more than 60 percent of women’s sport’s-related injuries.
What can be done? One recommendation is for coaches to become certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators.
Right now, only 13 states require that coaches have any sort of certification at all and there’s also a movement to make cheerleading an actual sport in the NCAA so far no movement on that.
Another simple thing parents can do is to ask questions about whether the cheers squads will be using mats and spotters like private cheer clubs.
They can make the difference between a safe routine and life-changing accident.
When the story hits, FOX News is there. With bureaus across the world, there isn’t any news that gets by FOX News. 
Athletic Trainers (see NATA) should be at all cheerleading practices and competitions.
The problem with journalism today is that are no journalists!
“…something went terribly wrong…”?
So what caused her heart to stop? Or didn’t you think that was important?
Being the grandparent of a cheerleader, we are very concerned about her safety. It is odd that during competitions the sqads perform on thick pads for safety, but when performing at sport events there are no pads, and worse, most of the time performed on pavement or asphalt. These girls are at risk of having serious accidents.
Mothers of these girls should organize and have regular meetings to discuss safety issues, and question the couch’s actions when exercises appear too risky. Mothers must get involved for the safety of their children.
I agree with Todd. I am left wondering what happened to this young lady and wondering if she is still in a coma? My prayers are definately with her and her parents.
Sorry i’ve not been giving my opinions in quite some time, but, have had many things[healthwise]in our family,,But,,,, i’m back!!! lol
This is truly a heart-wrenching story i just read about the 19 yr. old cheerleader! Our granddaughter [6th grade] is doing a lot of cheering & this yr.[thank the Lord!]she’s not having to be thrown in the air!! Why do they have to do such careless routines i wonder??!!! My heart breaks for this young lady’s condition…. Sooooo very sad!!! May God Bless her & her family!!!
I’m so very sorry for this young girls’ life! What makes it even harder, is this could have been prevented!! My love & prayers go to her, her family & everyone that knows her!!
Journalist???? Where are you?
What made her heart stop??????????????????? How can that be prevented for other girls???????????????
Certifications, etc are political and financial. Don’t use this incident for other reasons.
WHY DID HER HEART STOP? Help to prevent others from the same situation.
THis is very disturbing…..you obviously have left out some vital information concerning this tragedy. A cheerleader’s heart stops beating while being in a stunt that required her to be tossed (“high flying stunt”)……did she have a heart problem? Did the “stunt” cause the heart to stop? Was there a problem with her health prior to the incident? Was she improperly tossed by the others….off balance, hit while in the air??????
Please be thorough when sending out such a message…..my 12 year old granddaughter is the one who does the high flying stunts and she is in the hands of the those tossing, catching and coaching her……my daughter was a cheerleader, has coached and is very observant. She and the coach are very close, communicating often and she never misses a game but she has to depend upon the expertise of those teaching, coaching and teaming with her daughter…..we are very upset and concerned that this has been reported without some definite determination as to why and how it happened.
I am with you Todd. Her Heart stopped. What does that have to do with the accident stats. People do extreme activities every day !!