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H O S P I TA L N E W S
“I’m Going to Walk, Mommy”
G O R D O N J H U S K
Cooper Gretencord is a happy 6-
year-old boy, with a loving and
supportive family. His parents,
Dennis and Lisa, are committed to providing
the best possible care for their
children. Those children include Cooper
and his twin Dylan, a 14-year-old daughter
Taylor and the baby boy of the family,
4-year-old Carter.
Shortly after the twins were born,
Dennis and Lisa began to notice Cooper
had some minor problems with his legs.
By the age of 10 months, the problems
became much more pronounced, and
the family sought medical help. Dennis
says, “We were lost for a while, wondering
where to get the best medical care
for our son.” Cooper received some
therapy, but it seemed the regimen was
not consistently helpful.
Lisa’s mother, a beautician, mentioned
Cooper’s condition to a customer.
The customer, Dorothy Jones, said her
son was a Shriner, and she suggested the
family make application for treatment at
Shriners Hospital for Children in
Chicago. Dorothy’s son was Herb Jones,
a local fireman who signed the application
as the Shriner sponsor.
Dennis says, “We felt so good to
know there was finally hope. After our
first visit to the Chicago hospital, we
knew we had found a great source of
help. The doctors and therapists told us
what we had been doing right, what we
had done wrong, and how to provide
consistent therapy that would help
Cooper. Cooper’s diagnosis was cerebral
palsy, and the Chicago doctors
seemed to know a lot more about the
problem than most other doctors did.
The Chicago therapy and braces have
helped Cooper make great improvement.”
At age 3, Cooper demonstrated the
8
hope his father expressed. He said, “I’m
going to walk, Mommy. I’m going to
throw my walker away and I’m going to
have a walking party.” After three years
of high-quality care at the Chicago hospital,
Cooper got his wish. Stephen
Stamper, past president of Tippecanoe
Shrine Club, says many of the Club’s
members were present to see Cooper
abandon his walker, lean against a
cousin’s legs and perform the chicken
dance. Another cousin said, “I was with
him when he first started therapy. He
couldn’t hold his head up. I never
thought he would be able to walk.”
Cooper engages in more than one
hour of occupational therapy and two
hours of physical therapy every week.
He also participates in therapeutic horseback
riding. The family is overjoyed
with Cooper’s continuing improvement
and his strong determination.
Dennis recalls when his family
attended the funeral of Cooper’s sponsor,
Herb Jones. During the service,
someone read a list of Herb’s favorite
things, which Herb had written shortly
prior to his death. As one would expect,
his wife, children, God, country and similar
things were near the top of the list.
Dennis and Lisa looked at each other in
shock when they heard the sixth item on
the list, “Cooper Gretencord.” Herb’s
widow later gave Cooper the fireman’s
badge Herb had worn for years, saying
Herb had told her he wanted Cooper to
have it.
Dennis says, “I just can’t tell you
how much we appreciate the wonderful
care Cooper has received at Shriners
Hospital. Dr. Jeffrey Ackman always
answers our questions and provides
encouragement. The therapists are the
best we have ever seen. They are professional,
friendly and knowledgeable.
We hope every parent of a child with
these needs can learn about the great
medical care at Shriners Hospitals.”
Lisa agreed with the comments
Dennis made, and she adds, “It is hard
to find words to describe the hospital.
When you walk in, there is a feeling of
genuine warmth. Everyone is kind to
us. The doctors, therapists and all the
staff show total teamwork effort. You
know you are not just a number when
you go to that hospital.”
THE MURAT MAGAZINE