of those stories. My father died when I was 15 and I remember my
grandmother saying that no parent should have to bury their child. It is
a sentiment that has stuck with me ever since. If you can, please
donate. I know times are tough for a lot of us. But just remember, they
could be tougher. This family is dealing with something far worse than I
ever want to.
http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/21-year-old-raises-money-for-her-funeral
Her final Christmas wish
Amanda Jarrett
<http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/news_team/Reporter_Amanda_Jarrett>
CLINTON, Ind. (WTHI) - Just days before Christmas, a young woman with
muscular dystrophy is planning her own funeral, so she won't leave the
burden behind for her family.
Sierra Cooper, 21, has battled muscular dystrophy her entire life, then
she received another blow: Being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Now,
Sierra faces a grim outlook and doctors said she has little time left.
"If it was up to me, she'd have another 30 to 40 years and she'd bury
me," Sallie Cooper, Sierra's mother, said. "You're not supposed to bury
your child."
Sierra may only have weeks left. This Christmas, her wish isn't under
the tree this year. She's asking for donations to help pay for her
funeral.
"I love my parents and I don't want them to be struggling when I'm
gone," Sierra said.
Sierra isn't eligible for life insurance. Every day is a struggle for
the 21-year-old, as she's hooked to a pack of oxygen and medicine.
That's why her mother wants to give her the only thing she can: A proper
funeral.
"She'll never get a wedding, so I want to do something special for her,"
Sallie said. "She's been planning her own funeral, so of course I want
to give her the funeral she wants."
While she's planning for her final days, Sierra said she's found peace.
"I'm going to be with God and I'm going to be pain-free, no oxygen, no
pain pump," Sierra said. "I'm going to be normal for once and be able to
do the stuff you guys take for granted."
For now, she's living life one day at a time. Sierra prepares for a
final Christmas. She's hoping for help as she leaves her family behind.
If you'd like to help the Cooper family, you can make donations to the
Sierra Cooper Benefit Fund at any First Financial Bank location.
Special thanks to an anonymous reader for finding this.
Make a check payable to First Financial Bank In the Memo line write:
For Sierra Cooper Benefit Fund
Send the check to:
First Financial Bank
P.O. Box 2122
Terre Haute, IN 47802
