University Times

One of the world’s foremost authorities on wheelchair design and an accomplished wheelchair athlete, Rory Cooper, distinguished professor and chair in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, is being honored with his picture on a special edition Cheerios box as part of a national campaign.

Organized by the Veterans Administration, VA Canteen Services and General Mills, the campaign honors 12 gold medal winners of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Cooper, who uses a wheelchair as a result of injuries suffered during military service, is the only Pennsylvania veteran featured in the campaign, which also includes special edition personalized cards of the 12 athletes.

He autographed cereal boxes and cards March 5 at the VA Medical Center in Oakland.

Cooper, who has competed in 25 Veterans Wheelchair Games and who won four gold medals at last year’s games, also is director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories; professor of bioengineering at the Swanson School of Engineering, and a VA senior career scientist.

“This campaign offers mainstream recognition for people who have disabilities, and I am excited to be a part of it,” Cooper said. “I am honored to help promote a positive image for our wounded, injured and ill veterans.”

The special edition Cheerios box is being sold exclusively in military markets and VA Canteen Services retail stores.