About

Nice to Meet You!

My journey began with a brain tumor diagnosis at just three years-old. The tumor sits at the point where the optic nerves cross as they travel between the eyes and brain. I had been showing signs of vision loss but measuring a young child’s eyesight is a challenge. Only a portion of the tumor could be removed surgically without causing greater damage to sensitive parts of the brain. Since that time, I have spent most of my life on some sort of chemotherapy treatment. Nevertheless, by my early teens my eyesight went from reading extremely large print to no light perception at all. I can only imagine how my parents felt in those early days.

Blessed from day one, I was born in Northern California to hard working parents. As they became more concerned about my eyesight, they searched for experts. The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) children’s hospital became a second home for several years. MRIs, eye exams, and chemotherapy had my parents driving the twelve hour round trip to San Francisco as often as once a week. When treatment options began to dwindle my parents contacted Dr. Henry Friedman at Duke Children’s Hospital in North Carolina. Long story short, we never could have predicted how much things were about to change. Years of traveling to Duke turned into buying a house and moving; we became heavily involved in fundraisers for Duke Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network; and we met some of the most generous people one could imagine.

The medical challenges are just a backdrop to my life. God graced me with a drive that only gets stronger when something stands in my way. Supported by many family and friends I became one of the youngest dog guide users in the world, successfully graduated from Stanford University, and entered the tech industry as an electrical engineer. Many people claimed this was all impossible. To them, thank you! Your doubt added tremendous fuel to my fire. There are so many more things to say and stories to share, so please follow the blog and podcast. I hope you find something useful in your own life.

Photo of Matt Cooper seated on a bench with hands clasped together leaning on knees

Videos & Photos

Matt and his sister walking the Golden Gate Bridge Matt and family on a cool, cloudy day with Pacific Ocean in the background Matt sitting on a couch with a smile Matt teaching his young cousin how to read Braille Matt working with some of his 3D printing equipment Matt sitting with his sister while holding a white cane Matt with dog guide Sauly Matt with dog guide Walker sitting on pool edge Matt, his sister, Mom and Dad eating outside together Matt and dog guide Loti, at Stanford graduation - 2015 Matt and family on boat dock on a cool day Matt’s dog guide Walker got caught with a toy! Matt with his parents and a friend Matt, Sister and guide dog Matt teaching his young cousin how to read Braille Matt holding a baby on coach sitting next to friend Matt fishing in a cold mountain stream Matt working hard in the kitchen with his sister to prepare a meal Matt and his sister outside enjoying a pacific sunset from a glass edge balcony Matt with dog guide Walker Matt with a hug from his sister and guide dog sitting in front of a fireplace Matthew Cooper portrait photo Matt kneeling with dog guide Walker Matt and guide dog from the teenage years sitting in sunny green lawn Page from “Blind Ambition” article in National Geographic Kids magazine Matt receiving a big hug from his sister while eating a banana split Matt outside with his sister, Mom, Dad and guide dog at a northern California ranch on a sunny day Matt speaking at dog guide graduation with guide Walker Matt with first dog guide Bluenose Guide dog looking into Matt's eyes with a smile Matt, his sister, Mom and Dad outside on a sunny day with the emerald coast of florida behind them A hand and dog’s paw on Braille book Matt and dog guide Loti, at Stanford graduation - 2015 - on stage receiving diploma Matt dancing with sister and friend