End to a story that started here

My story actually begins on Feb. 7, 1974, when my niece, Kristy, was

born to Sue and Randy Karjala after 20 long hours of labor and a

difficult birth. Kristy suffered brain damage affecting her

coordination and speech. By her first birthday she had yet to take

her first steps.

After exhausting trips to several doctors and long hours of

research, my sister read about the Institute For the Achievement of

Human Potential in Philadelphia. After a long wait for an opening,

Kristy was accepted. She was placed in a special physical therapy

program pioneered by the Institute in 1962. The family returned home

to Costa Mesa with renewed hope that Kristy would one day walk. They

sought help from the Daily Pilot, asking for volunteers in the

community who would be willing to donate their time for “patterning”

exercises to train her brain and body to function normally. Kristy

needed to be patterned 10 times daily along with other exercises,

seven days a week. The Daily Pilot ran the story on Aug. 4, 1978, and

again on Nov. 24, 1978. The outpouring of volunteers was incredible.

Randy said, “We are a family unit here and we are going to stick

together until the family is well again.” (The family now consisted

of two sons, age 3 and 1 1/2 , with another son on the way). Guess

what? Kristy did learn to walk. After several moves, the Karjalas

ended up in Colorado because of the services and programs available

to the disabled. Kristy attended a regular school with special

classes for the disabled. She was in a horseback riding class for

special-needs kids and was a good swimmer because of the strength in

her upper body from the patterning exercises. Throughout the years of

family outings and vacations, Kristy was always a part of the

activities. Her brothers were so loving and protective of her. To

think one doctor said she should be institutionalized.

Sue and Randy went into real estate so they could work out of

their home. Randy handled the business and household chores. Sue took

care of Kristy all day, every day. She was relentless in her search

for special programs to help her daughter. Kristy loved to walk the

mall for her daily exercise. With intestinal problems plaguing her

throughout her life, it was important that she walk regularly. The

merchants all knew her and loved her. She had an infectious laugh and

always a smile, greeting everyone she met with a big hug whether she

knew you or not. Her dentist said she was the only patient that

hugged him when she came for checkups. Kristy could only say a few

words but communicated so much warmth and love to all. Sue would ask

her who loved her and Kristy would say “Jesus” very slowly. Sue would

ask her where Jesus was and Kristy would point to her heart.

On May 7, at the age of 29, Kristy suddenly became ill and was

rushed to the hospital. Within a few hours she was gone. She was an

organ donor but because of the infection within her body from a

ruptured intestine, only her corneas could be salvaged for

transplant. Even after her death Kristy was making a difference.

My sister literally lived to take care of Kristy, her little

angel, as she calls her. Sue’s unwavering faith and strong family

ties will see her through this darkness. It is too soon for her to

know what she will do to fill the void left by Kristy’s absence. I

felt I needed to share this remarkable story of a young woman who has

touched so many lives in such a short time on this earth. As the

pastor said at her memorial service: “Kristy knew how to love.

She wasn’t interested in objects or things, but she loved life and

experienced all that she could despite her limitations.” This

family’s incredible devotion to one another has been so uplifting to

me, I felt I had to share our story in hopes that this may help

others facing similar adversities.

CAROLE QUINTANA

Pico Rivera