Christian Cooper

My name is Christian Cooper. I am a 32-year-old burn survivor living in Birmingham, AL. On February 26th, 2016, my car interior caught fire while driving down the interstate. I lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road into a ravine- suddenly trapped behind a jammed door in a car being consumed by fire. At that moment, I accepted my fate and began to recount fond memories from my life. I was fortunate to make it out of the car with the help of two bystanders, but not before sustaining third-degree burns to 80% of my body.

I was given a 5% to 10% chance of survival and was told that I would never walk out of the hospital if I did survive. I spent the next month in a medically induced coma and four more months in the burn ICU. Even though I had no trauma other than burns, I had to relearn how to do everything- how to stand up, how to walk, how to feed myself, how to write, etc. However, this time also allowed me to reflect on life and draw wisdom from my experiences. I went through a medical and psychological gauntlet, but I am back home in Birmingham, AL, living an adjusted but ordinary life. Wherever I communicate my story, audience members tell me they draw inspiration or courage from my words, so I want to continue sharing my story on a significant level.

From opening for Shaquille O’Neal at a Boy Scouts of America fundraiser to an interview on Soft White Underbelly’s YouTube channel to a small church with 20 members- I have spoken to countless audiences ranging from 5 to over 2,500 audience members. Anytime I speak, I tailor my story to provide a central theme based on the organization's desires or goals for the event. I can discuss various themes, from general motivation, safety importance, current events, philosophy, education, religion, and more. If you are looking for a speaker who can engage and relate with your audience, speak to a specific theme, and tell a captivating story, I would be thrilled to make a lasting impression on your audience.