After being born without one of the two bones in his lower left leg, Cooper endured countless painful operations and procedures throughout his first 12 years.

As it became harder and harder for him to keep playing basketball, the sport he loves, Cooper stunned parents Renee and Matt when he told them he wanted to have the leg amputated. It was a decision he didn't make lightly. Cooper's maturity, courage and tenacity is remarkable, and before he had become a teenager, he became an amputee.

Now, at 18 years of age, Cooper is living a great life. He's taken the wheelchair basketball world by storm and is well on the way to achieving his dream of becoming a Paralympian.