Sherrill has been involved in the development and promotion of sport for individuals with cerebral palsy for many years. In her excellent textbook, Adapted Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport, she notes that there are two organizations that promote sports for persons with cerebral palsy: Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA Link) and the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA). There are eight classifications in USCPAA sports: Classes 1-4 are non-ambulatory and Classes 5-8 are ambulatory. The classifications are broken down further by specific level of function and have some potential implications for developing general exercise guidelines for persons with cerebral palsy.

A comment made to Dr. Ken Richter at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, Korea emphasized the social value of sport for persons with cerebral palsy: "I have a son who is 21 years old. Even my neighbors did not know that he exists because I was ashamed that he has cerebral palsy. Now with the Paralympics I can go out in public without shame."

In an excellent paper written by Richter, Gaebler-Spira and Mushett, the importance of sport for persons with cerebral palsy was emphasized from both a physical and psychological standpoint. Using anecdotal information from the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, Korea, the authors noted that sport is an excellent medium for changing society's attitudes towards persons with cerebral palsy. They concluded by calling for the medical community to promote sport and exercise in their patients with cerebral palsy.