Adelaide boy wins hearts of South Australians after having his leg amputated so he can play sport
A brave Adelaide schoolboy who had his leg amputated for the chance to again play sport will play against the Adelaide 36ers in a special game.
SA News
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There’s little doubt who the 5000-strong crowd will be cheering for when Adelaide schoolboy Cooper Spillane runs out with his namesake team to take on the Adelaide 36ers.
The sports-loving 12-year-old has been winning the hearts of South Australians since the story of how he chose to have his leg amputated for the chance to play sport again was shared.
Cooper was born without a fibula bone in his left leg, restricting the leg’s growth.
When painful leg lengthening surgery was unsuccessful, the youngster made the brave decision to have the leg amputated.
His story found its way to radio personalities Mark “Soda” Soderstrom and Jodie Oddie, who host breakfast on Mix 102.3.
Soderstrom, a father-of-three, said he was “blown away” by Cooper’s attitude, strength and “beautiful spirit”.
“He told us, ‘I am not losing a leg, I am gaining a life’ – to hear that level of maturity and positivity from a 12-year-old boy was mind-blowing,” he said.
“I think for so many people, Cooper is an inspiration … yes, life can be tough, it can be challenging but here he is not complaining – he is just a great ray of hope.”
Cooper, who dreams of one day being a Paralympian, has been adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg since surgery on May 25.
On Thursday, he will line up with his specially-selected Cooper’s All-Stars’ team to go head-to-head with the Adelaide 36ers, in a special event spearheaded by the radio hosts and supported by everyone from the SA’s NBL side, to the premier and leading local businesses.
Money raised from the game – the biggest indoor sporting event since COVID-19 – will be used to help purchase Cooper a more high-tech prosthesis costing in excess of $70,000 which will allow him to more easily run and take part in sport, as well as to support junior basketballers on Kangaroo Island.
Cooper’s mum, Renee, said the love and support shown was beyond anything the family could have imagined.
“We are still trying to digest it all, overwhelming isn’t even the word,” she said.
As for Cooper, he is not really sure what all the fuss is about and is just focused on winning bragging rights over 36ers star Jack McVeigh who he has befriended since his operation.
“I just feel like I am a normal kid, I can do everything that most people can … but it is really cool I have this opportunity,” he said.
“I think the coolest part will be actually matching up against a few of the players – the end goal will be trying to win, but it will be cool just going out there.”
For tickets go to Ticketek or visit the Mix102.3.com.au and follow the links to Cooper’s All-Stars. To make a donation, contact the station on (08) 8300 1000.