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Thank you LEGO.
May 28, 2003
In short life, boy rose to challenges
BY LAUREN SHEPHERD
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
David Copeland says his son's days of building Lego creations aren't over.
But the plastic "Star Wars" figures and model cars his son loved to build might
be too far from Earth for the proud father to see.
Copeland's 7-year-old son Conner, affectionately called Connerman by his family,
died Sunday from complications of aplastic anemia.
"He's building up top now," said Copeland.
Conner was diagnosed last summer with the disease, a blood condition in which
the body's immune system kills its own stem cells and leaves the body unable to
produce new blood cells.
The diagnosis came after a physical exam in June when the doctor took a blood
test. Conner had been complaining of headaches and stomachaches, and his family
had begun noticing bruises on his body.
From October to March, Conner lived on the 10th floor of the Massey Cancer
Center, part of Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, fighting the disease with
his family at
his side.
While waiting for bone marrow transplants and battling infections, Conner built
Lego figures to pass the time and indulge in his love of building.
"To get a puzzle and open that box - that was a challenge to him," said his
uncle, Steve Challenor.
But challenges came in many packages - not all labeled Lego - for the plucky boy
with the crew cut, broad grin and love for challenges.
"Competition was Conner's life," Challenor said. "It didn't matter what it was.
He loved every kind of game whether it was with balls or mind games. He beat
everybody
at Play Station - all his doctors and nurses. I can't remember what he wasn't
involved in."
The challenge of Legos helped occupy him during the long months in an otherwise
tediously sterile hospital environment. He built a 1,000-piece Yoda and a
3,100-piece
Imperial Star-Destroyer, part of the Lego "Star Wars" collection, earning a
certificate from Lego declaring Connor a Master Lego builder.
"What else do you do for five months when you're up here?" asked Carol Copeland,
Conner's mother, in a Times-Dispatch article in March. Carol quit her job to
stay in
the hospital with her son.
Beginning in December, Conner had three marrow transplants. Although the first
two didn't take, the third was a success.
Conner came home to Henrico County in March to recuperate. Copeland said he was
happy to have his son back home, although Conner was tired and quiet.
"All along, everyone had faith he would pull through," Copeland said. "He fought
and he fought and he fought."
But this month, Conner went back to MCVH. A viral infection was causing
respiratory problems, and fluid was collecting around his heart and lungs. The
infection
proved too strong, even for Conner.
"He was the strongest child; he never complained," Copeland said. "It was
remarkable how a child would have such will."
In addition to his parents, survivors include two sisters, Christine and
Courtney; and a brother, Christopher. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday
at Third
Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at Westhampton Memorial Park.
This story can be found at: http://www.timesdispatch.com/obits/MGBR14CO8GD.html
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Master Lego Builder Dies
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| (...) I am sorry and touched by the story of Conner. My heart goes out to his family. May all the young fighters in this life be graced with both Lego® and such devoted family and friends! With prayer, -Hendo (21 years ago, 29-May-03, to lugnet.general)
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