Help Cooper Bring Independence to People of Short Stature at Children’s Colorado
At just 39 inches tall, Cooper navigates a world not designed with his height in mind. Despite daily challenges, he’s determined to improve the world for others like him. Cooper is partnering with Children's Hospital Colorado to add handwashing stepstools in restrooms throughout the hospital. These stepstools are essential for ensuring that everyone, regardless of height or mobility, can comfortably reach sinks and wash their hands effectively.
Handwashing is vital for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of illness. However, for many, particularly children and those with mobility issues, reaching a sink can be a significant challenge. By installing these stepstools, we aim to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all.
Cooper's goal is to raise $26,500 to provide 35 restrooms with handwashing stools. Each $750 raised will enable us to equip one restroom with a new stepstool!
Donate today to help Cooper make Children's Colorado more accessible for patients and visitors. Together, we can empower children and make everyday tasks easier for those who need it most.
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Cooper's Story
Cooper was 15 months old when his mom discovered a bump on his back. He was sent to Children’s Hospital Colorado for further testing, which led to a diagnosis of Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes skeletal abnormalities, short stature, and other serious medical issues.
Patients with this condition are missing an enzyme that allows the body’s cells to break down and dispose of waste, causing progressive cellular damage. At 18 months old, Cooper became the youngest patient ever to receive Vimizim, an enzyme-replacement therapy.
Ever since then, Cooper has been getting weekly Vimizim infusions at the Children’s Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, the inpatient unit, and most recently, at home!
Cooper has undergone multiple reparative surgeries to address the problems with his bones. In 2019, he underwent spinal decompression surgery on his neck, in 2020 he had major surgery on his hips, knees and ankles and in 2023 he had another spinal decompression surgery, this time on his thoracic spine, adding 17 screws and 2 rods to his back. The recoveries weren’t easy, but the surgeries have helped improve Cooper’s mobility. Today, he plays hockey and basketball, and he dreams of someday becoming an NHL hockey coach.
The one thing all the surgeries and infusions can’t address is Cooper’s short stature - he's just 39" tall. Cooper’s mom Chris is constantly lifting him to help him wash his hands at restroom sinks. As someone who has spent a lot of time at the hospital, along with having been a Children’s Colorado patient ambassador from 2022-2023, Cooper realized this was an opportunity to make the hospital even MORE focused on children like him - stepstools in the restrooms so he can wash his hands independently!
“Children’s Colorado is like a second family to us, so it makes sense that Cooper wants to give back to make the hospital more accessible to little people” says Cooper’s mom, Chris.
Join Cooper in making a difference!
