Just got a phone call from one of our dearest friends. His son was born on Valentine's Day 2009. He weighed 1lb and 3oz at birth. His prematurity has caused him to have several surgeries, the last of which was a liver transplant about a month ago. Cooper has not been home as of yet. He was in LeBonheur and now is in Pittsburgh. It has been a very long, hard year for this family. I had spoken with our friend earlier today (who is in Pittsburgh) and he was feeling a little depressed. He arrived at the Ronald McDonald house a few minutes ago and had received some mail. To his surprise, and delight, one of the packages was a poster of our basketball team. Every player had signed it and Coach had written that their thoughts and prayers were with this family. My friend was so touched. He asked if we had called Coach Stansbury (we had not) and was in shock that someone had reached out to the team and shared his family's ordeal. Beyond that, he could not believe that the team had taken the time to do this for his family. I am in tears as I share this. Cooper's parents both went to State and are members of the Bulldog family. Y'all cannot imagine how this gesture of kindness has touched our friend, and me. This small act of kindness has lifted a man who has spent the last year watching his son fight for his life. Watching his wife and other 2 children go through hell, while being apart and struggling to hold it all together. So, thank-you Coach and basketball Dawgs. And to whomever took the time to reach out to them, thank-you for thinking of them and doing this for a family that needed this. Go Dawgs!!
Thank you Coach Stansbury and team
- Thread starter cajundawg
- Start date
Let the man observe Lent in peace.
I think people have better sense than to go there with this thread.
Awesome story Cajun. Proud of Rick and the guys.
I think people have better sense than to go there with this thread.
Awesome story Cajun. Proud of Rick and the guys.
My daughter had a prenatal issue that required in utero surgery before she was born in 2001 (and my wife was required to stay on bed rest for 4 months afterward). After the surgery, Sherrill called my wife, and sent us a poster and a signed cap and football. He also checked on us a couple more times after that. It was a good feeling being on the receiving end of a gesture like that from the head coach of our alma mater. It definitely made it much harder to watch us suck so bad for the rest of his career
after having such a positive personal experience with him.
after having such a positive personal experience with him.
Cooper's Dad reads this board. Your thoughts and well wishes will be heard. Your prayers will be felt.
The constant traveling back and forth from Columbus, MS to Pennsylvania is taking its toll. Many people have asked me about some type of benefit organization. I don't know if this is something that Cooper's family would be comfortable with, but when I talk to them today I will feel them out. In situations like this, people feel so helpless and want to help some how and an avenue such as this may be the answer.
Again, thank-you to whomever reached out to the team and to Coach and the basketball Bulldogs. If y'all could have heard the lift in my friend's voice... Thank-you, thank-you.
The constant traveling back and forth from Columbus, MS to Pennsylvania is taking its toll. Many people have asked me about some type of benefit organization. I don't know if this is something that Cooper's family would be comfortable with, but when I talk to them today I will feel them out. In situations like this, people feel so helpless and want to help some how and an avenue such as this may be the answer.
Again, thank-you to whomever reached out to the team and to Coach and the basketball Bulldogs. If y'all could have heard the lift in my friend's voice... Thank-you, thank-you.