With less than a month to live, Sierra Cooper lives a dream
Source: Terre Haute Star Tribune | December 5, 2009
By Sue Loughlin, The Tribune-Star
CLINTON December 05, 2009 09:51 pm
— The kiss was unlike any other she had received, and it came from a funny-looking guy with a big nose and rubbery skin.
But the joy on Sierra Cooper’s face was unmistakable as she stood in a pool at the Indianapolis Zoo, and Kimo, the 450-pound bottle-nosed dolphin, lifted his head out of the water and gave her a slippery, wet peck on the cheek.
In late November, the 21-year-old Clinton resident fulfilled one of her dreams by spending a day with the zoo dolphins and getting to know Kimo, Sundance and that mischievous juvenile, 7-year-old Jett.
Donning a wet suit and life jacket, Sierra spent 30 minutes in the 80-degree water with her favorite animals. Beforehand, she attended an educational program about dolphins and then watched a scheduled performance.
Later, she had her own, individualized dolphin experience and got to touch them, feed them and give them commands.
“It was awesome,” she said.
Spending time with the dolphins was not only a dream come true, but also it is one of Sierra’s last wishes.
She is dying, and her health care providers say she probably has less than a month to live.
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