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Whiz Kid: Lake Elsinore Teen Pushes Back Obstacles To Achieve Greatness

Kyle Cooper isn't letting health problems or learning disabilities stop him from aiming high.

Lake Elsinore resident Kyle Cooper, 16, isn’t letting a lifetime of health hurdles and learning disabilities stop him from fulfilling his dreams.

Instead, the Lakeside High School sophomore, who is a top student and athlete, is looking forward and aiming high.

But Peggy Cooper, Kyle’s mom, does look back in amazement when she sees the son in front of her today.

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Reflecting back, there were lengthy hospital stays and an array of diagnosis.

The trouble began at just 8-months-old, when Kyle contracted mononucleosis. Although “mono” is a relatively common viral infection, Kyle’s case was stubborn.

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“He was constantly in and out of the hospital,” Peggy said. “His immune system was so worn down he would get sick from anyone he came in contact with. Because of this, he took antibiotics, daily, for two years.”

Then, when Kyle was just 3, he had his tonsils and glands removed in the hope that his health issues would be resolved.

“To the doctor’s surprise, the tonsils and glands were so infected they crumbled while being removed,” Peggy explained.

Kyle’s early school years were trying. Peggy said he did not talk until he was in the first grade.

“When he entered Kindergarten he mumbled,” she said. “I believe this was because his glands were always swollen; he couldn’t hear.”

As Kyle struggled in school, it became apparent he had some thought processing issues.

“His learning and sensory issues are a result of the constant high fevers and continued use of Amoxicillan as an infant,” Peggy said, explaining that the identified mild-to-moderate learning disabilities resulted in a Special Resource Program designation in school, accompanied by an Individualized Education Plan.

Peggy elaborated, “He was assigned Occupational (small motor skills) Therapy and Speech.”

Despite these early challenges, Kyle has worked hard to overcome them.

“Right now I am holding a GPA of 3.87 and rank 55 out of a class of 536,” he said.

In addition to academics, Kyle is physically active and reinforces his love of baseball history and the San Diego Padres by playing Junior Varsity baseball at Lakeside.

He also excels in other areas, Peggy said. “He has hundreds of community service hours, more than what (are) required to graduate.”

Currently, Kyle is a member of a youth leadership and character-building program, known as the Young Marines.

“I want to be a Marine,” he said.

“Kyle is proud of this goal as he plans to lovingly compete with his older brother, Michael, who currently attends the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and is ranked 172 out of a class of 1,200,” Peggy said proudly.

Recently, Kyle accomplished every teenager’s dream: He got his driver’s license.

Kyle, a not so typical teen, used very typical teen words to express the emotion of that accomplishment: “It’s awesome!”

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