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WINTER HAVEN, FL — In the vivid imagination of 4-year-old Cooper Wingate, he’s a superhero who uses his “super ninja moves” to fight bad guys and rescue hostages, which usually include his mom, Destiny; dad, Josh; and 2-year-old baby brother, Jasper.
In his imagination, the little boy from Frostproof has to make frequent visits to the hospital to “recharge his superpowers,” said his mom, Destiny Wingate.
In reality, those visits are to undergo chemotherapy. Shortly after his third birthday, Cooper was diagnosed with leukemia.
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“He doesn’t understand the severity of the disease,” said Destiny Wingate. “He just knows he has to get medicine to make him strong and healthy. And since he’s been obsessed with superheroes since he was little, it makes it easier for him to endure the sessions if he thinks his superpowers are getting recharged.”
She said Cooper’s fantasy world has proven a blessing in his battle against the disease. It’s helped him cope with the symptoms, the poking and prodding by doctors and nurses, the needles and the worries glances his parents exchange.
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As far as he’s concerned, he’s Super Cooper, and nothing can stop him, not even leukemia.
“He’s got such a great imagination,” said Wingate. “I’ll be doing laundry or something around the house and he’ll come running in, saying, ‘I’ve got to fight the bad guys off to save you.'”
That’s often accomplished with a “Hulk smash,” the tried-and-true technique of his favorite superhero, The Hulk.
On Saturday, however, Super Cooper won’t need to use his imagination. Thanks to Make-A-Wish, Cooper will be battling the bad guys and saving the hostages for real.
The Central and Northern Florida Chapter of Make-A-Wish has arranged a super adventure for Cooper that includes outfitting him in his very own superhero costume.
This will be the 7,000th wish granted by the Central and Northern Florida Chapter of Make-A-Wish, which makes the day doubly special, said Anne Cuba, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida.
“Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida is thrilled to celebrate World Wish Day with Cooper this Saturday. This marks our branch’s 7,000th life-changing wish granted for children with critical illnesses since our founding in 1994,” Cuba said.
“Thanks to our spectacular partners, donors and volunteers, we’ve pulled out all the stops for Cooper’s amazing day of heroism,” she said. “This Saturday, Make-A-Wish invites the community to come out and help cheer on their local crime-fighting superhero Super Cooper along on his mission. Together, we’ll turn this into a joy-filled day Cooper and his family will never forget.”
Those attending are encouraged to bring signs to hold up and cheer Cooper on.
Helping to make the day even more special for the little boy, first responders including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Fire Rescue, Winter Haven Fire Rescue and Winter Haven police, will be on hand.
Cooper’s big adventure will begin at 9 a.m. at Winter Haven City Hall: 451 Third St. NW, Winter Haven.
At 10:30 a.m., Cooper will be escorted by motorcade to the scene of the crime at Culver’s, 888 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, where first responders will inform him of the hostage situation in progress.
Super Cooper then will use his ninja skills to navigate obstacle courses, save the hostages and help arrest the wanted “Florida Bandit.”
At 1 p.m., the 4-year-old will be honored as a superhero and presented with awards for his heroism at LEGOLAND, 1 Leg0land Way, Winter Haven. The awards ceremony will be followed by interviews with the media at 2 p.m.
“I told him all about it yesterday, that he’ll get a superhero outfit and fight the bad guys and everyone will be cheering him on,” said Wingate. “He got so excited, he began jumping up and down.”
His superhero costume was expected to arrive at the Wingate home Friday. It includes a red, white and blue suit and cape, a red mask, the must-have superhero belt with buckle, and light-up shoes.
“I know he won’t be able to wait to try it on,” Wingate said.
“We are so excited for the opportunity,” she said. “There are no words to express how excited and how blessed we are. My heart is overflowing. Make-A-Wish has gone above and beyond.”
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