At 16 years old, Abbey Fawcett’s life changed when she went into cardiac arrest during a routine at cheer camp. Nearly two months later, Abbey was diagnosed with CPVT, a rare but lethal genetic cardiac condition, yet her bright light refuses to dull as she eagerly waits to return to the mat.
Abbey Fawcett, a member of the Baldwinsville Bees’ cheer team, stands with her team during a feature on Channel 9’s Friday Morning Lights. Abbey is currently unable to cheer after surviving a cardiac arrest, a condition only 10% of people survive outside of a hospital, at a cheer competition over the summer.
Abbey shows a scar from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that was surgically placed in October. Abbey possesses a rare inherited cardiac condition that causes sudden rhythm disturbances which is now monitored and corrected by the ICD.
Kaydance Provost-Lutz, right, a cheer teammate, helps Abbey put on her jacket. The surgery and cardiac arrest have created physical limitations for Abbey including the inability to lift her left arm above 90 degrees, carry more than 10 pounds, and participate in activities that elevate her heart rate.
Acadia Gates, left, Abbey, middle, and Lilyana Wills talk about a Snapchat from a friend while driving to place Homecoming signs in the football players’ yards. While unable to cheer, Abbey stays active on the team and with the other girls whenever and however she can.
Unable to participate in routines with the rest of the team, Abbey still makes sure she cheers for every point their football team scores and supports the team by attending every event, fixing the other girl’s hair, and yelling out the chants from the side.
On the sidelines, Abbey shows her Coach, Cassidy Christensen, a definition of her heart condition. Abbey is extremely open about her medical condition and physical struggles; she doesn’t allow them to control her life and instead is working to balance her health and passions.
Abbey hangs out with her teammates and friends. Due to the impact of her cardiac arrest at cheer camp, the entire team has become a support system for her, often assisting her throughout the day at school and checking in on her well-being.
Abbey and the squad cheer on the football teams’ attempt to score a point after their touchdown at the senior night game. Coach Cassidy Christensen, the cheer coach, has said that Abbey is a bright light that can’t be dulled and her energy radiates throughout any room she steps into.
During the school day, Abbey takes a moment away from the loud classroom to put her coat in a friend’s locker. While her bubbly and positive personality hasn’t dulled, Abbey has struggled with insecurity surrounding her recent health condition.
Abbey, left, and Peyton Edwards, her teammate and best friend, watch the squad from afar during their feature on Channel 9, as they were unable to participate. Abbey doesn’t view this setback as the end of her cheerleading career and is waiting for medical clearance to return to the sport she’s loved since she was six.