Video: Cooper Flaggs Dome Visits Delicious 8-year-old survivors in brain cancer: ‘He came down to her level’

Syracuse, new-one of the first things that Michelle Stone noted was the way the expected # 1 election in the NBA draft and future multi-millionaire bent to make sure her daughter, Claralynn, was in condition to communicate with him.

Claralynn Stone is 8 years old and stands about 4 meters and 2 inches. She had brain surgery four days after her fourth birthday. Doctors removed a tumor after she was diagnosed with anaplastic astroblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

Her family noticed that something was wrong when one of Claralynn’s eyes began to turn inward. Michelle said that an ophthalmologist initially did not think it was anything serious. However, doctors in Albany noticed swelling and performed surgery the same day to determine the cause.

Once the cancer was diagnosed, Claralynn underwent a five hour surgery to remove the tumor. It was followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy for another six weeks.

The cancer is now gone. It took 95 percent of her vision with it, so she’s legally blind. She is a year away from being considered in full remission.

“You can’t tell it,” said Michelle Stone. “She’s coming around. She has her sugar cane in school. When she learns something, she can navigate. “

Claralynn loves basketball and followed her family into Duke Fandom, so her mother drove her and her two brothers down from their home in Plattsburgh to Jma Dome Wednesday to see her favorite college basketball team, Blue Devils and her favorite, player, Cooper Flag.

Claralynn brought a sign with a checklist of three goals. She had checked the first and beaten brain cancer. Her mother helped her check out the second – first duchy – when they decided to take the trip a week ago.

The third goal – Meet Cooper Flagg – happened after the match Wednesday thanks to the sharp eye of a duchy employee and flag’s reputation for kindness.

“She was definitely excited,” Michelle said. “It was a surreal moment for her. He just turned 18. Some people wouldn’t take the time to do something similar. “

Claralynn had hoped that her sign may get the attention of Flagg, but she not alone.

Someone from the Duke program discovered Claralynn among the crowd and pulled the family into Jma Domes Back Hall after the game, an 83-54 victory for Blue Devils.

Claralynn and her two brothers met their favorite player and finished her checklist.

Standing 6-foot-9, flagging flagging over the young fan whose quiet voice matches her height.

Claralynn’s vision is largely limited to shadows. Michelle suggested she looked up so Flagg could see her face.

Then the flag bent down and sat down at the same level as Claralynn and made sure he looked directly at her.

“She can’t see well, so when she saw him, I was like,” Clara, look up, “Michelle said. “He’s tall, so I thought it was really nice that he bent down to her level when he talked to her. He offered to take a picture and then signed the boy’s jerseys for them. “

Flagg is only 18 years old. In a few months, he will almost certainly be No. 1 selection in the NBA draft and be a millionaire more than 10 times. Still, he has already developed a reputation for his generosity.

Their meeting was short, but it made an impression. Michelle said she appreciated how Flagg did more than just the break for a photo and went ahead with her evening.

He held a little prat with Claralynn and her brothers, Carson and Corbin.

He clarified his name to make sure he said it right. He asked if the game was all they had hoped for. He asked which Duke Dunk was their favorite. The boys went away excited to have flags autograph. Claralynn was happy to have just met him.

A few minutes from Flagg gave her something she will remember the rest of her life.

“He asked how they enjoyed the game,” Michelle said. “He just came up to them and made small-talk, came down to her level and interacted with each of them.”

Contact Chris Carlson at any time: E email | Twitter | 315-382-7932

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