Spring Break
Pacemaker sidelines SMU cheerleader
Nicole Jacobsen, Opinion Editor, njacobse@smu.edu
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: News
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Burns says her pacemaker will not affect her performance with the team, but SMU officials think otherwise.
Burns said the school has agreed to seek a second opinion from a cardiologist, but will not do so until at least next week when there is another home football game. SMU did talk to Burns' primary doctor yesterday, who told the university she could return to the team.
"For them to kick me off so quickly, I think they saw it as just cheerleading," Burns said. "They didn't see it as anything big, but they don't realize that to some people it is."
Burns was sidelined last week when SMU officials said the university's insurance policy would not cover her medical device.
Burns used to have a heart condition known as Long QT Syndrome, but after receiving a pacemaker five years ago her condition disappeared, clearing her of all limitations to fully participate in her favorite sport.
Vice President of Student Affairs Lori White, was unavailable for comment to The Daily Campus. But she told The Dallas Morning News earlier this week, "it's not only the liability of this individual student. For example, if she's at the base of a pyramid and if something were to happen to her and she collapses, then she may also injure other students."
"My cardiologist told [SMU] they could contact him and they never did," Burns said. "He contacted them yesterday. They never contacted me or my parents before making a decision."
While Burns' scholarship is still applicable, she is allowed to do no more than clap her hands and yell while remaining completely grounded on the sidelines.
"[SMU head coach Zac Brannon] brought up that they may have an issue with my pacemaker but I never thought that much about it because it would be discrimination.
The reason for taking me off isn't justified, and they need to get their facts straight before they made the decision," said Burns.
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