On the Mat, Against All Odds: Kooper's Story

Born with the need for an above-the-knee amputation, Kooper learned to navigate the world a little differently than most kids.

When she was 17 weeks pregnant, Kooper’s mother, Dawn, was told devastating news – Kooper and his twin Conner had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and at the same time learned that Kooper was going to need an amputation to his right leg upon birth. At 18 weeks, Dawn and her husband, Rikk, were given three options from their specialist: Do nothing and both babies would pass in two days, abort Kooper to give Conner an 80% chance to live, or undergo surgery the next day and see who lives. Dawn and Rikk chose the third option, had surgery the next day and both babies survived. At 34 weeks, Kooper and Conner were delivered and began their lives with their family.

After Kooper and Conner were born, Dawn’s specialist immediately directed her to seek care at Shriners Children’s. When he was 7 months old, Kooper and his family traveled from their home in North Pole, Alaska, to Shriners Children’s Portland. Upon arrival at the hospital, the family moved through appointments, seeing a variety of specialists all focused on Kooper’s care.

“Our first visit was almost 6 hours,” said Dawn. The long visit was due to the amount of specialists they were able to see in one day. Starting at registration, Dawn began to make note of how reassuring the hospital was. “Every time we come there, every single person that works there, from a janitor to a doctor and in between, are so happy and friendly, and excited to see every single child and their family that walks through your doors,” Dawn said. They then went to their first appointment, seeing, Ivan Krajbich, M.D., for orthopedics, then moving to the radiology department, and then back to Dr. Krajbich.

On that first day, they met Shannon, a physical therapist, and continued to see her for several years. “She was awesome when we would see her because she would also include Conner, Kooper’s twin, in his appointments,” Dawn said. “She also just got him a new wheelchair built when we were there for Koop’s surgery!”

Kooper’s last appointment of the day was with the team in Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS). As the family made their way down the second floor hall, they ran into a friendly face. “Hi, I’m Todd. I’ll be Kooper’s prosthetist.” Dawn reflected on that special day, adding that Todd reached for Kooper, held him in his arms, and immediately began to sit and play with him in the hall. All the worries that the family was harboring before their long day of appointments washed away with this man’s kindness. The man turned out to be Todd DeWees, POPS manager at Shriners Children’s Portland.

From that day on, Kooper and Todd had a special bond. “They get so excited to see each other,” Dawn said. At each of Kooper’s appointments, the pair have a photo taken together, documenting more than a decade of compassionate care and friendship.

As Kooper began to grow as a child, he became increasingly interested in sports and his family’s active lifestyle. With four older brothers, Kooper spent his childhood playing sports like any child. “His family has done an excellent job of encouraging him to participate in an active Alaska lifestyle, just as they do with his brothers,” Todd said. Kooper’s personalized prosthetics made by the Portland POPS team gave him the freedom to move as his brothers would.

Kooper’s father and older brother shared a love for wrestling, so it was only natural that Kooper eventually became interested in the sport. With his dad as assistant wrestling coach for his junior high school, Kooper was set up for success to get on the mat. Through rigorous training and practice, Kooper worked toward his goal of winning the junior high state championship. “I would show or demonstrate a move, and he would figure out how to adapt it to fit into his skillset,” Rikk said. Kooper’s ability to adapt moves to best fit his needs would serve him as a valuable skill in his matches. Never backing down from a challenge, Kooper often wrestled up in weight classes for matches. Despite going up against larger opponents, he still dominated the mat.

Fast forward to March 4, 2023: The final round of the junior high state wrestling championship was underway. Kooper put his opponent flat on his back, and the official signaled a 3-0 win. Making all the right moves, Kooper secured a first-place win and a gym of congratulatory cheers. As he ran off the mat, Kooper jumped into his dad’s arms. “I felt happy,” he said. “I was proud of myself.” On the winner’s pedestal, he stood tall showcasing his medal and his blue prosthetic leg.

His family shares the same sense of pride. “We knew his potential,” Dad said.

Now that wrestling season is over, Kooper is shifting his focus to hanging out with his friends and having fun. He plans to visit the Portland Shriners Hospital soon for a new prosthetic leg and – of course – to see Todd.

Kooper’s goal as he enters high school wrestling next year? “To get better,” he said. We cannot wait to see his progress and what he accomplishes next.