Director - California MISS Foundation
Chapters
United States Chapter Coordinator
Facilitator - Huntington Beach, California
Katie's only son, 17-month old Blake "Peanut," was
killed in a terrible car crash caused by a red light-runner in Phoenix,
AZ on February 18, 2000. After a week in a coma, and acquiring a
severe traumatic brain injury, Katie woke to complete paralysis
of the right side of her body and little to no short-term memory.
Her entire life as she knew it was gone.
She spent four weeks in the hospital being taught how
to walk, write, and take basic care of herself. After six more weeks
of outpatient rehabilitation she then spent three months in a neurological
rehabilitation program learning to compensate for the repercussions
of her brain injury.
The driver who ran the red light at 55mph made no attempt
to stop and, to date, has paid no consequences for her actions.
Because she was completely sober when she chose to run the red light,
no criminal charges were brought against her and the state of Arizona
believed they could not prove her actions to be criminal.
Katie’s relatives found both the MISS Foundation and
the Red Means Stop Coalition during her hospitalization. Using the
love for her son, her passion and anger regarding the crash, Katie
quickly added her voice to showing drivers the very real, tangible
consequences of running a red light. She also quickly gave he r
entire spirit in the name of compassion to other bereaved parents.
Katie’s contributions to the Red Means Stop Coalition include interviews
for a Discovery Channel (“Deadly Crossings”), World News Tonight,
and several local Phoenix stations. She has also testified on numerous
occasions in front of the
Arizona legislature regarding stiffer consequences for red light
runners. Katie lends her compassion, outspokenness and humour to
the MISS community. She facilitates a support group in her home,
has created a central California MISS website to integrate all of
the CA MISS groups (www.CaliforniaMISS.org),
always seeking donations and publicity, and is on the Registration
board for the annual Passages Conference.
Her next triumph will be the passing of the MISSing Angels Bill
in California.
Katie now lives in Huntington Beach, CA with her Twin
Flame, Chris, and his son, Cody. Since moving to California she
has become a Certified Massage Therapist; Katie finds much peace
in this additional source of healing and continues to seek out new
philosophies that will aid her and others in grief. She also offers
a free massage to bereaved parents!
Article
on Kota Press
Katie@missfoundation.org
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