Cooper’s clan

Many family members gather to embrace young boy facing great adversity

Donna Williams of Wellington, P.E.I., chokes up when talk turns to the major ongoing struggles of her four-year-old great-grandson, Cooper Coughlin.

Simply hard on the heart, she notes, to see the little boy face so many serious health issues and to see the boy’s parents endure so much hardship.

“It’s like a very emotional rollercoaster,’’ she says.

The heavy ride began when Cooper was born in Alberta three months premature and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

He had heart surgery at twoand-a-half months. At eight months, he had a gastrostomy tube (also called a G-tube) inserted through his abdomen to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach to ensure he receives the fluid and calories needed to grow. He has been fed through this tube ever since.

All the early, intense health care, including a regular need to be given oxygen, was initially quite jolting to first-time parents Kurtis Coughlin and Brittany Bulmer, who are raising their son in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

“It was all overwhelming at the time,’’ says Kurtis.

What soon started becoming very familiar was life – Cooper’s life – taking place in a hospital.

The boy was hospitalized for his first 11 months.

“It was my normal,’’ says

Bulmer.

“It wasn’t easy, but you just do it.’’

Not easy, indeed. During that very lengthy stay, Cooper’s breathing stopped on three separate occasions. Each time, CPR brought him back.

“It’s very emotionally draining,’’ says Kurtis.

Still, his dad adds that finally bringing his son home after Cooper had spent nearly one year in hospital was not so much a welcome relief as it was “pretty terrifying’’, considering the boy’s fragile condition.

The break from hospital was short-lived. After just one month, Cooper was readmitted for more than four months.

He would go back in for short stints with colds, which compromised his immune system.

To date, 508 days of Cooper’s life have been spent in hospital. Thankfully, he has been home with mom and dad for more than seven straight months.

Kurtis, who is a native of Ellerslie, P.E.I., but moved to Alberta where he works as a pipe fitter, has long been eager to bring his son home to visit with many family members.

Some have made the trip to Alberta, including his sister, Katelyn Coughlin, who has been there a handful of times.

Family members, he is quick to note, have been extremely supportive, both financially and emotionally.

So, a trip for Kurtis, his wife and the couple’s only child to P.E.I. this month, made possible by the P.E.I. Chapter of Children’s Wish, is proving to be a cherished experience.

The trio camped at the Miscouche home of Kurtis’ mother, Karen Francis, and her husband, Alan Francis.

In preparation, the backyard was converted into a playground with slides, swings and a wading pool awaiting Cooper’s arrival.

Karen, who has visited her grandson on a few occasions in Alberta, would love to be a lot closer to Cooper.

“It’s been tough being so far away,’’ she says.

“There’s lots of ups and downs – constantly.’’

Williams and many other family members are making the most of their time with Cooper, getting to know better the boy mom describes as easy going, always happy, fearless and busy.

“It’s sort of breathtaking when you see the little fella,’’ says Williams, the boy’s great-grandmother.

Kurtis is thrilled so many family members have been able to spend time with his boy. Close to 50 people, including two sets of grandparents and a great-grandmother, took part in a special gathering one day.

“It’s very nice,’’ says Kurtis. “I’m so happy everyone got to see him…a very big thank you (to Children’s Wish) for helping us out at this point in Cooper’s life.’’

Interestingly, Kurtis was 11

years old when he was recognized for being one of the top fundraisers for the Summerside Wishmaker Parade in 2003.

While Children’s Wish grants wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, Cooper’s parents did not want to talk about their child’s prognosis.

They did note that Cooper, while still unable to speak, keeps surprising people with his development.

He is expected to grow out of his chronic lung disease and there is hope the feeding tube is temporary.

There are no plans to have more children. The parents note cheerfully they are more than happy – and busy – with Cooper.

JIM DAY/THE GUARDIAN Kurtis Coughlin, a native Island who lives in Alberta, was thrilled to have Children’s Wish help him bring his four-year-old son Cooper to P.E.I. to visit with many of the boy’s relatives. Cooper was born with pulmonary hypertension which has left him with a host of serious health issues.

JIM DAY/THE GUARDIAN Brittany Bulmer and Kurtis Coughlin sit with their son, Cooper, as the boy’s grandmother, Karen Francis, and his greatgrandmother, Donna Williams, look on. Cooper, who lives in Alberta with his parents, was on P.E.I. to visit the many family members on Kurtis’ side.