Having a child with a disability will have an effect on a parent.                                    The parent of a                                         disabled child is faced                                 with certain realities                                  that puts their family                                   dynamic outside of the                                 norm.  Parenting books                          obtained during                                      pregnancy do not                                    address many issues                                   that they must face.                             Parents will look for                                 other parents of                                  children with                                        disabilities to find an                                  example of how to                                     function.  Charleston,                                     West Virginia produced                                  such an example.

Mildred Lindberg was born in 1932, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Lindberg.  She was a graduate of Charleston High School and then went on to graduate from James Madison College (now University).

As a young lady, Mildred met a man from Pennsylvania named Myron Cope.  Myron was a successful writer for Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post, among other publications.  An article he wrote for Sports Illustrated, portraying Cassius Clay, won the E.P. Dutton Prize for “Best Magazine Sports Writing In The Nation” in 1963.  They fell in love and were married in 1965.

In 1968, the Cope’s son Daniel was born.  Some time later, Daniel was diagnosed with autism.  The severity of Daniel’s condition left the Copes with many medical bills.

Myron accepted an offer with Pittsburgh Radio Station WTAE as a sports commentator.  Employment with the radio station provided the Copes with much needed medical insurance.  This job led to Myron becoming the color commentator for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, doing commentaries on WTAE-TV and hosting a talk show on the radio.  His success in radio led to his induction in the National Radio Hall of Fame.  A first for an announcer of a pro football team.

Mildred’s husband became one of the biggest local celebrities in Pittsburgh.  He was the one to first call the famous catch, by Franco Harris during the 1972 AFC Playoff fame with the Oakland Raiders, “the Immaculate Reception”.  The Steelers’ trademarked Terrible Towel was created and promoted by Myron Cope.  A great demand developed in Pittsburgh to have him speak to companies and organizations.

Despite his success, Myron’s true passion was his wife and children.  Mildred was his partner.  They were determined to make a better world for Daniel.  Together, they helped found the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.  Myron and Mildred worked with other people to create the Summer Program for the Education of Autistic Kids.  The program’s principal of preparing autistic Children for the coming school year by training them in the summer is now emulated throughout America.

Daniel became a student and a resident of the Allegheny Valley School in Robinson, Pennsylvania.  It provides care, therapies, and education for children with developmental disabilities.  The Copes worked together to raise funds for this establishment.  Money earned from Myron’s Speaking engagements were donated to the school.  In 1996, the school was granted the Terrible Towel’s copyright by Myron Cope.  This act has resulted in the Allegheny Valley School receiving millions of dollars.

Mildred passed away in 1994, two years before the copyright of the Terrible Towel was donated to the school for which she tirelessly fundraised.  In 2008, Myron died.  However, their commitment to Autism charities lives on.  Both Doug Flutie and Dan Marino support Autism Charities.

Flutie’s charity is the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.  The inspiration for the foundation is Flutie’s son who has autism.

Former quarterback Dan Marino’s son, Michael, also has autism.  In order to promote autism awareness, Marino started the Dan Marino Foundation.

Autism Speaks, another organization that is dedicated to Autism Awareness teamed with the NFL on Fox for its Thanksgiving 2007 Broadcasts.  In addition, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley works to bring attention to Autism.  He is the single father of an autistic son, Mikey.

The example set by Myron and Mildred Cope has paved the way for other parents to advocate for their children.  That example also has served as a model for parents to accept their children for who they are.

Daniel was valued and respected by his parents.  Mildred’s life long friend, Sally Slicer of Charleston, explained that it was important to Mildred for Daniel to travel with them and to play with other children.  Slicer admired the couple’s determination to overcome the difficult times.  Midlred’s sister, Leola Palmer, recounts that the most important person to Daniel was his mother.

With the love and devotion the couple had for their son, the Copes not only became an example to other parents of a disabled child, they became an example to parents of any child.