"I can walk, I can talk. I can read. I can write. I can do anything." --Karen Killilea (1940-)

The story of a girl with cerebal palsy and the family who wouldn't give up on her.

In 1940, when Karen Killilea was born three months premature and developed cerebral palsy, doctors encouraged her parents to put her in an institution and forget about her. At the time, cerebral palsy was considered untreatable, and institutionalization was the only recourse. However, in a revolutionary act of faith and love, the Killileas never gave up hope that Karen could lead a successful life.

Karen is the profound and heartwarming account of an extraordinary young girl’s triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds. Written by Karen’s mother, Marie, this larger-than-life story tells of a family’s courage, patience, and struggle in the face of extreme difficulty.

It is also a story of their achievements: Marie’s activism spread awareness of the mistreatment of disabled people in America and lead to the formation of multiple foundations, including the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Her greatest reward, however, was also her greatest miracle: Karen herself. (Goodreads)

Karen is a story of a family, its faith, its problems, and its fun. A success story, inspiring and often gay. One of the most touching, beautifully-written books of recent years. - Jacket.