My CP rarely misses practice and the only ones she has ever missed have been for mandatory school functions and when she was sick (in the past 9 years). I could probably count the times on one hand that she has missed. That being said, I totally and completely disagree with whoever said if you are throwing up, bring a bucket. I will NOT make my daughter go to a cheer practice when she is throwing up and I would be LIVID if another child was sitting there throwing up in a bucket. I am her parent, and being her parent trumps a coach who "requires" my sick daughter to be there. Now, I realize that several kids/parents will just say they are that sick, but my thought is, the coaches know my CP pretty well and know she is always at practice. So, if I am calling you saying she is too sick to be there, then she is too sick to be there.