Cooper Roberts replace: Nationwide Wrestling Alliance hosts present for 9-year-old 4th of July Highland Park taking pictures survivor

HIGHLAND PARK, Unwell. (WLS) — There was a second of pure pleasure for 9-year-old Cooper Roberts on Saturday afternoon.

For a number of hours, the youngest sufferer of final yr’s Fourth of July parade taking pictures in Highland Park acquired to benefit from the present the Nationwide Wrestling Alliance hosted only for him.

“Oh, my gosh, as we speak has been a type of days you get to return and never be completely immersed in all the pieces that’s tough and difficult and overwhelming,” mentioned Keeley Roberts, Cooper’s mom.

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The final yr has been a whirlwind for Cooper’s household. It has included months of hospital stays and rehab remedies for Cooper, who’s paralyzed from the waist down.

“He’s doing actually, actually good. He’s persevering with to push by way of the bodily points he is persevering with to cope with, however I believe, most significantly, he is persevering with to really feel the love and assist,” Keeley mentioned.

That love and assist was on full show on the Highland Park Rec Heart on Saturday, with rock star and founding father of the Nationwide Wrestling Alliance, Billy Corgan, main the way in which to boost hundreds of {dollars} for Cooper’s medical wants.

“In rock and roll, inform me that generally having just a little little bit of enjoyable is the most effective drugs,” Corgan mentioned.

“What occurred was definitely the worst of what we see in humanity generally, however this occasion has been about the most effective of what individuals can do,” Keeley mentioned.

Cooper cherished each second of the present, together with his twin brother and mates by his facet.

“The truth that Cooper was there entrance row watching us and cheering us on, it is a actually cool feeling,” mentioned NWA wrestler Missa Kate.

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All of it served as a reminder of how the group is shifting ahead collectively.

“You aren’t getting to interrupt us. You aren’t getting to remove our life. You aren’t getting to remove our happiness, our pleasure,” Keeley mentioned.

The thrill and fundraising will proceed on Sunday as effectively. One other slate of matches will begin at 2 p.m.