When she was born, they knew something was wrong.
She just didn't look like she should,
Her legs were misshapen and not very long.
They thought they could fix her, maybe they could.

As she grew with her legs in braces,
She hoped she would be like the rest,
But she couldn't run or ever be in races.
The other kids made fun or just stared at best. 

As time went on, her braces weren't enough,
So a wheelchair was bought to get around.
Being a disabled kid was really tough,
And discrimination and pity was all she found.

After all the operations and therapy she had,
 Of doctors and therapists trying to mend her.
Nothing made a difference, good or bad.
But to Karen all this did not deter.

Becoming a woman and needing to be on her own,
She found a lot things harder to do.
While her legs stayed the same, her body had grown.
She needed a companion to help, but who?

Just by chance on a breezy spring day,
She met a man with a heart of gold,
He stopped to ask if he could help in any way.
Karen knew this man she could love and hold.

They fought many battles along the way,
Fighting discrimination and human rights for unperfect people.
They stayed together until the day.
The news came and it was dreadfully awful.

Karen had cancer, and no one knew,
She passed away shortly thereafter.
She went to Heaven to get legs anew,
I can hear her now amidst all the laughter.

She's dancing in Heaven with her new feet,
With her strong new legs she now can do,
All the things she wanted without defeat.
Karen, I know you're happy, but I still miss you!



Author:  Susan T. Fisher
May 23, 1999