Seth Cook, 1993-2007:
Darrington teen with rare aging disorder dies
Seth Cook, who lived in Darrington and captured hearts all over the world, died Monday at his home
with his family around him. He was 13 years old and had recently suffered a heart attack as a consequence
of progeria, a rare disorder that causes accelerated aging.
"He will be missed by so many as there were so many lives he touched," said his mom, Patti Cook.
Seth had friends all over the world, including other children with progeria. Many were charmed by his practical
jokes and quick wit. But his courage, kindness and sense of humor also moved many who knew him only through
stories and network broadcasts about him.
"He broke my heart, and then mended it, all at one time," wrote one reader after an account of his life appeared
in the Seattle P-I in September 2004.
Hundreds of people wrote to him, and many offered to provide him new life experiences.
He flew in a stunt plane, even handling the controls, and was made an honorary sheriff's deputy, a lifelong goal.
He got to visit ancient ruins in Mexico and travel to New York.
The producers of NBC's "Dateline," which did a feature on him, provided a stretch limo and red-carpet "premiere"
party for the whole town of Darrington in February 2006 before the show aired.
And up until this year, he was able to attend the annual reunions of children with progeria hosted by the
Sunshine Foundation, a Pennsylvania-based wish-granting organization for seriously ill children.
The reunion, which was a highlight for him each year, is under way this week in Florida.
His buddy Bill Sample, founder and president of the foundation, called him Sunday to check on him and fill
him in so he felt included this year, his mother said.
Seth packed a lot of living into a short time.
Most children with progeria, which is caused by a rare genetic mutation, don't outlive their teenage years.
This year, researchers began testing the first potential drug to halt the progress of the disease. Seth's health was
too compromised to participate in the trial. There are only a few dozen known cases of progeria in the world.
Seth had a close and loving extended family, including many cousins who visited frequently and helped him
navigate at school.
An avid reader, he continued reading to kindergartners at Darrington Elementary until he had a stroke in August.
At home, he was in the middle of listening to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis, one of his favorite authors.
The family is taking comfort in their faith. "Our angel boy has gone home, but, Jesus has given us the hope that we will
see him again," his mother said.
"Anyone coming in contact with Seth was always amazed, and totally taken with him and what a beautiful and
wonderful person he was ... so full of faith, loving, caring, funny and just living life to the fullest," said a cousin, Leila Booker, in an e-mail.
"He was the king of one-liners," said his mom. The stroke compromised his speech and cost him the strength on his right side,
but he fought back and by this year was able to speak short phrases and feed himself his favorite foods, including chocolate.
After a health scare last Sunday, Seth's doctor gave the family his cell number and said to call "for any reason at all," so
Seth in the back seat of the car pretended to make the call, and said, "Whatcha doin'?"
Like a typical teen, he loved listening to music on his iPod. The song, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, one of his favorite
singers, became his personal anthem.
"He was full of life," said his dad, Kyle Cook. "He may have been short in stature, but he was a giant."
Because of his disease, Seth stood barely 3 feet tall and weighed less than an average toddler. But he still loved to hunt
and fish, usually perched on his dad's shoulder. The family often fished together on rivers near their home. Three years ago,
Seth caught an 18-pound steelhead, his personal best. Family photos show Seth from the age of 2 holding various catches,
each bigger than the last until they nearly dwarfed him.
Last fall, his family took him hunting in Montana, and they got a buck, which thrilled him.
He loved the mountains and was happy just to be near water. In the past few weeks, he had been too weak to go far,
so he and his mom spent time in the small flower garden they had planted together. He planted a small rose bush, which
they were watching bloom.
Seth also loved to tease people. His most recent habit was hiding "snap-its" -- a small button that makes a big bang when
compressed -- under the toilet seat at his house.
He was also quite fond of a remote-controlled jumping spider that he wielded with a fair amount of stealth, startling guests
and his pet cat, Pumpkin.
Seth would have turned 14 next month and had been planning a camping trip with his family.
"So many people have added to the person he is -- all the people he got to enjoy," said Patti Cook. "They all have little
fingerprints on him, and he has his on them."
HOW TO HELP
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Sunshine Foundation at sunshinefoundation.org or Children's
Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle seattlechildrens.org.
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/321200_seth26.html?source=rss
Thank you to Blessed Always for sponsoring This Memorial Page.
Darrington teen with rare aging disorder dies
Seth Cook, who lived in Darrington and captured hearts all over the world, died Monday at his home
with his family around him. He was 13 years old and had recently suffered a heart attack as a consequence
of progeria, a rare disorder that causes accelerated aging.
"He will be missed by so many as there were so many lives he touched," said his mom, Patti Cook.
Seth had friends all over the world, including other children with progeria. Many were charmed by his practical
jokes and quick wit. But his courage, kindness and sense of humor also moved many who knew him only through
stories and network broadcasts about him.
"He broke my heart, and then mended it, all at one time," wrote one reader after an account of his life appeared
in the Seattle P-I in September 2004.
Hundreds of people wrote to him, and many offered to provide him new life experiences.
He flew in a stunt plane, even handling the controls, and was made an honorary sheriff's deputy, a lifelong goal.
He got to visit ancient ruins in Mexico and travel to New York.
The producers of NBC's "Dateline," which did a feature on him, provided a stretch limo and red-carpet "premiere"
party for the whole town of Darrington in February 2006 before the show aired.
And up until this year, he was able to attend the annual reunions of children with progeria hosted by the
Sunshine Foundation, a Pennsylvania-based wish-granting organization for seriously ill children.
The reunion, which was a highlight for him each year, is under way this week in Florida.
His buddy Bill Sample, founder and president of the foundation, called him Sunday to check on him and fill
him in so he felt included this year, his mother said.
Seth packed a lot of living into a short time.
Most children with progeria, which is caused by a rare genetic mutation, don't outlive their teenage years.
This year, researchers began testing the first potential drug to halt the progress of the disease. Seth's health was
too compromised to participate in the trial. There are only a few dozen known cases of progeria in the world.
Seth had a close and loving extended family, including many cousins who visited frequently and helped him
navigate at school.
An avid reader, he continued reading to kindergartners at Darrington Elementary until he had a stroke in August.
At home, he was in the middle of listening to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis, one of his favorite authors.
The family is taking comfort in their faith. "Our angel boy has gone home, but, Jesus has given us the hope that we will
see him again," his mother said.
"Anyone coming in contact with Seth was always amazed, and totally taken with him and what a beautiful and
wonderful person he was ... so full of faith, loving, caring, funny and just living life to the fullest," said a cousin, Leila Booker, in an e-mail.
"He was the king of one-liners," said his mom. The stroke compromised his speech and cost him the strength on his right side,
but he fought back and by this year was able to speak short phrases and feed himself his favorite foods, including chocolate.
After a health scare last Sunday, Seth's doctor gave the family his cell number and said to call "for any reason at all," so
Seth in the back seat of the car pretended to make the call, and said, "Whatcha doin'?"
Like a typical teen, he loved listening to music on his iPod. The song, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, one of his favorite
singers, became his personal anthem.
"He was full of life," said his dad, Kyle Cook. "He may have been short in stature, but he was a giant."
Because of his disease, Seth stood barely 3 feet tall and weighed less than an average toddler. But he still loved to hunt
and fish, usually perched on his dad's shoulder. The family often fished together on rivers near their home. Three years ago,
Seth caught an 18-pound steelhead, his personal best. Family photos show Seth from the age of 2 holding various catches,
each bigger than the last until they nearly dwarfed him.
Last fall, his family took him hunting in Montana, and they got a buck, which thrilled him.
He loved the mountains and was happy just to be near water. In the past few weeks, he had been too weak to go far,
so he and his mom spent time in the small flower garden they had planted together. He planted a small rose bush, which
they were watching bloom.
Seth also loved to tease people. His most recent habit was hiding "snap-its" -- a small button that makes a big bang when
compressed -- under the toilet seat at his house.
He was also quite fond of a remote-controlled jumping spider that he wielded with a fair amount of stealth, startling guests
and his pet cat, Pumpkin.
Seth would have turned 14 next month and had been planning a camping trip with his family.
"So many people have added to the person he is -- all the people he got to enjoy," said Patti Cook. "They all have little
fingerprints on him, and he has his on them."
HOW TO HELP
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Sunshine Foundation at sunshinefoundation.org or Children's
Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle seattlechildrens.org.
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/321200_seth26.html?source=rss
Thank you to Blessed Always for sponsoring This Memorial Page.
Seth Cook, 1993-2007:
Darrington teen with rare aging disorder dies
Seth Cook, who lived in Darrington and captured hearts all over the world, died Monday at his home
with his family around him. He was 13 years old and had recently suffered a heart attack as a consequence
of progeria, a rare disorder that causes accelerated aging.
"He will be missed by so many as there were so many lives he touched," said his mom, Patti Cook.
Seth had friends all over the world, including other children with progeria. Many were charmed by his practical
jokes and quick wit. But his courage, kindness and sense of humor also moved many who knew him only through
stories and network broadcasts about him.
"He broke my heart, and then mended it, all at one time," wrote one reader after an account of his life appeared
in the Seattle P-I in September 2004.
Hundreds of people wrote to him, and many offered to provide him new life experiences.
He flew in a stunt plane, even handling the controls, and was made an honorary sheriff's deputy, a lifelong goal.
He got to visit ancient ruins in Mexico and travel to New York.
The producers of NBC's "Dateline," which did a feature on him, provided a stretch limo and red-carpet "premiere"
party for the whole town of Darrington in February 2006 before the show aired.
And up until this year, he was able to attend the annual reunions of children with progeria hosted by the
Sunshine Foundation, a Pennsylvania-based wish-granting organization for seriously ill children.
The reunion, which was a highlight for him each year, is under way this week in Florida.
His buddy Bill Sample, founder and president of the foundation, called him Sunday to check on him and fill
him in so he felt included this year, his mother said.
Seth packed a lot of living into a short time.
Most children with progeria, which is caused by a rare genetic mutation, don't outlive their teenage years.
This year, researchers began testing the first potential drug to halt the progress of the disease. Seth's health was
too compromised to participate in the trial. There are only a few dozen known cases of progeria in the world.
Seth had a close and loving extended family, including many cousins who visited frequently and helped him
navigate at school.
An avid reader, he continued reading to kindergartners at Darrington Elementary until he had a stroke in August.
At home, he was in the middle of listening to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis, one of his favorite authors.
The family is taking comfort in their faith. "Our angel boy has gone home, but, Jesus has given us the hope that we will
see him again," his mother said.
"Anyone coming in contact with Seth was always amazed, and totally taken with him and what a beautiful and
wonderful person he was ... so full of faith, loving, caring, funny and just living life to the fullest," said a cousin, Leila Booker, in an e-mail.
"He was the king of one-liners," said his mom. The stroke compromised his speech and cost him the strength on his right side,
but he fought back and by this year was able to speak short phrases and feed himself his favorite foods, including chocolate.
After a health scare last Sunday, Seth's doctor gave the family his cell number and said to call "for any reason at all," so
Seth in the back seat of the car pretended to make the call, and said, "Whatcha doin'?"
Like a typical teen, he loved listening to music on his iPod. The song, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, one of his favorite
singers, became his personal anthem.
"He was full of life," said his dad, Kyle Cook. "He may have been short in stature, but he was a giant."
Because of his disease, Seth stood barely 3 feet tall and weighed less than an average toddler. But he still loved to hunt
and fish, usually perched on his dad's shoulder. The family often fished together on rivers near their home. Three years ago,
Seth caught an 18-pound steelhead, his personal best. Family photos show Seth from the age of 2 holding various catches,
each bigger than the last until they nearly dwarfed him.
Last fall, his family took him hunting in Montana, and they got a buck, which thrilled him.
He loved the mountains and was happy just to be near water. In the past few weeks, he had been too weak to go far,
so he and his mom spent time in the small flower garden they had planted together. He planted a small rose bush, which
they were watching bloom.
Seth also loved to tease people. His most recent habit was hiding "snap-its" -- a small button that makes a big bang when
compressed -- under the toilet seat at his house.
He was also quite fond of a remote-controlled jumping spider that he wielded with a fair amount of stealth, startling guests
and his pet cat, Pumpkin.
Seth would have turned 14 next month and had been planning a camping trip with his family.
"So many people have added to the person he is -- all the people he got to enjoy," said Patti Cook. "They all have little
fingerprints on him, and he has his on them."
HOW TO HELP
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Sunshine Foundation at sunshinefoundation.org or Children's
Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle seattlechildrens.org.
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/321200_seth26.html?source=rss
Thank you to Blessed Always for sponsoring This Memorial Page.
Darrington teen with rare aging disorder dies
Seth Cook, who lived in Darrington and captured hearts all over the world, died Monday at his home
with his family around him. He was 13 years old and had recently suffered a heart attack as a consequence
of progeria, a rare disorder that causes accelerated aging.
"He will be missed by so many as there were so many lives he touched," said his mom, Patti Cook.
Seth had friends all over the world, including other children with progeria. Many were charmed by his practical
jokes and quick wit. But his courage, kindness and sense of humor also moved many who knew him only through
stories and network broadcasts about him.
"He broke my heart, and then mended it, all at one time," wrote one reader after an account of his life appeared
in the Seattle P-I in September 2004.
Hundreds of people wrote to him, and many offered to provide him new life experiences.
He flew in a stunt plane, even handling the controls, and was made an honorary sheriff's deputy, a lifelong goal.
He got to visit ancient ruins in Mexico and travel to New York.
The producers of NBC's "Dateline," which did a feature on him, provided a stretch limo and red-carpet "premiere"
party for the whole town of Darrington in February 2006 before the show aired.
And up until this year, he was able to attend the annual reunions of children with progeria hosted by the
Sunshine Foundation, a Pennsylvania-based wish-granting organization for seriously ill children.
The reunion, which was a highlight for him each year, is under way this week in Florida.
His buddy Bill Sample, founder and president of the foundation, called him Sunday to check on him and fill
him in so he felt included this year, his mother said.
Seth packed a lot of living into a short time.
Most children with progeria, which is caused by a rare genetic mutation, don't outlive their teenage years.
This year, researchers began testing the first potential drug to halt the progress of the disease. Seth's health was
too compromised to participate in the trial. There are only a few dozen known cases of progeria in the world.
Seth had a close and loving extended family, including many cousins who visited frequently and helped him
navigate at school.
An avid reader, he continued reading to kindergartners at Darrington Elementary until he had a stroke in August.
At home, he was in the middle of listening to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis, one of his favorite authors.
The family is taking comfort in their faith. "Our angel boy has gone home, but, Jesus has given us the hope that we will
see him again," his mother said.
"Anyone coming in contact with Seth was always amazed, and totally taken with him and what a beautiful and
wonderful person he was ... so full of faith, loving, caring, funny and just living life to the fullest," said a cousin, Leila Booker, in an e-mail.
"He was the king of one-liners," said his mom. The stroke compromised his speech and cost him the strength on his right side,
but he fought back and by this year was able to speak short phrases and feed himself his favorite foods, including chocolate.
After a health scare last Sunday, Seth's doctor gave the family his cell number and said to call "for any reason at all," so
Seth in the back seat of the car pretended to make the call, and said, "Whatcha doin'?"
Like a typical teen, he loved listening to music on his iPod. The song, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, one of his favorite
singers, became his personal anthem.
"He was full of life," said his dad, Kyle Cook. "He may have been short in stature, but he was a giant."
Because of his disease, Seth stood barely 3 feet tall and weighed less than an average toddler. But he still loved to hunt
and fish, usually perched on his dad's shoulder. The family often fished together on rivers near their home. Three years ago,
Seth caught an 18-pound steelhead, his personal best. Family photos show Seth from the age of 2 holding various catches,
each bigger than the last until they nearly dwarfed him.
Last fall, his family took him hunting in Montana, and they got a buck, which thrilled him.
He loved the mountains and was happy just to be near water. In the past few weeks, he had been too weak to go far,
so he and his mom spent time in the small flower garden they had planted together. He planted a small rose bush, which
they were watching bloom.
Seth also loved to tease people. His most recent habit was hiding "snap-its" -- a small button that makes a big bang when
compressed -- under the toilet seat at his house.
He was also quite fond of a remote-controlled jumping spider that he wielded with a fair amount of stealth, startling guests
and his pet cat, Pumpkin.
Seth would have turned 14 next month and had been planning a camping trip with his family.
"So many people have added to the person he is -- all the people he got to enjoy," said Patti Cook. "They all have little
fingerprints on him, and he has his on them."
HOW TO HELP
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Sunshine Foundation at sunshinefoundation.org or Children's
Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle seattlechildrens.org.
Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/321200_seth26.html?source=rss
Thank you to Blessed Always for sponsoring This Memorial Page.
