“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: At the age of 4 years old Cooper Hodges was diagnosed with a glioblastoma of the spine. On February 19th, 2016 Cooper woke up unable to walk, parazlyed from the waist down. He was quickly shipped to Children’s of Alabama where he was diagnosed with the tumor. Within days he was parazyled from the chest up and could not breathe on his own. Cooper remained on the ventilator for almost 2 months, during that time he had surgery to place a tracheostomy and required extensive chemo and radiation of his spine. Over the course of a 3 month hospital stay Cooper received extensive physical and occupational therapy. His treatment plan improved his tumor combined with his always happy and motivated spirit Cooper regained control and use of his upper body and came off the ventilator! Doctors were amazed! Cooper never once mentioned his Lower body paralyisis and he NEVER let his condition get him down! He was and still is an inspiration to us all!!! Unfortunately after a brief discharge from the hospital and time at home with his family and his buddies that he loved, Cooper was re admitted to children’s of Alabama and his tumor had spread to his brain. Cooper gained his angel wings and went to his forever home in heaven on June 11th, 2016 just 4 months after being diagnosed. Cooper IS my hero and a hero to SO many others! To see our community, our church, our schools and even complete strangers be touched and inspired by Cooper and his happy spirit is so incredible. He truly is “Super Cooper”!” – Lauren H