Boy with Cerebral Palsy to Carry Olympic Torch

A 12-year-old boy from the UK who was born with cerebral palsy and hopes to one day play in the Paralympics has been selected to carry the 2012 Summer Olympics torch as it makes its way to London.

Matt Cooper was initially nominated to be one of the 2,012 torchbearers by the staff at Portchester School. A school council member and a played on the Hampshire Hornets wheelchair basketball team, Matt told the Western Wards Gazette he was “stunned” and excited when his parents told him he would be carrying the torch.

He added that he had already been getting excited for the London Olympics because of his dream to one day become a Paralympic wheelchair basketball player.

“I would quite like to take part in the Paralympics because that would be the next step up from carrying the torch,” he said.

Matt said that whenever he speaks about his birth injury he makes sure to not limit his discussion only to cerebral palsy, but rather expand and include all types of disabilities that one may be faced with.

“I think it’s important not just to tell people about cerebral palsy but all disabilities, so they can understand a small bit of what it’s like to be disabled,” he said. “To be honest most people I’ve met with cerebral palsy always have a bit of a groan about it, but I try to look at it from a different perspective. That’s how I get though everyday life.”

We wish Matt the best of luck, both with his time carrying the Olympic torch and with his dreams to one day play in the Paralympics.

If you or a loved one has a child who was born with a birth injury that can be attributed to medical error, call Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation regarding a cerebral palsy lawsuit. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

Tags: