Marie KillileaCríticas

Do any of you remember the character named Geri who was on the Facts of life TV show back in the 1980s? Do you remember that she had Cerebral Palsy? For those of you who remember that show, I mention this, so you have some idea what this book is about.

This is the story of Karen Killilea who was born in 1940 with cerebral palsy. Her parents were told by the doctors and other medical specialist to put her in an institution and forget about her. Marie and James Killilea refused to do that.

They spent many many hours giving Karen the physiotherapy and occupational therapy that Karen needed in order for her to learn to speak clearly, to read and write, to walk (albeit with crutches) and to look after her own bodily needs (such as going to the bathroom).

This book also covers all the hard work that Marie did on pushing for a National Cerebral Palsy group (cerebralpalsyguidance dot com) that could sponsor research and push for legislation for those children born with physical and mental handicaps.

The Killilea family are Irish Catholics so there is some mention of religion. Mostly related to Karen's first communion, first confession and her confirmation. I just skipped over those parts.

I had first read this book more than 30 years ago back in the 1980s, before I left home, so this was a long overdue re-read for me. There is also a sequel called With Love From Karen. I may be reading that soon as well.

SPOILER

This is the sequel to the best selling memoir Karen that was written in the 1950s. Karen was born with Cerebral palsy and grew up in an Irish catholic family. She learnt to walk with cruches and leg braces, but those were always painful and so she eventually chose to return to using the wheelchair. The wheelchair gave her more freedom and no more pain.

Karen had been educated at home with a tutor because no school would accept her. Their excuse was usually something like, she cant walk so she cannot keep up with the other children. When she turned 12 years the family moved from Rye NY to Larchmont NY, just down the road and slightly closer to NYC. There the Good Counsel Catholic church and diocese accepted Karen as a student and she finally was able to go to school.

Today Karen lives in NY state and works as a recptionist for a Catholic retreat. She will turn 80 years old this year (2020). Karens parents passed away in the 1990s. One of Karens older siblings has also passed but there still 2 sisters and 1 brother living in the USA.

There were one chapter I skipped over. It described a catholic church mass in details and had far too much latin in it. This second book was written by Karens mother Marie, in response to all the questions that She received about "what happened next to Karen?"

This is one of those classic books that deserves a 5 star review. For the inspiring story that it is, for the superb writing, the humor, grit, honesty and the history behind it as well. Marie Killilea tells the story of her daughter Karen, who was born with cerebral palsy in the early 1940's, a time when PT and OT services were virtually non-existent. The story includes anecdotes, conversations, struggles, and also a parallel story of how Mrs. Killilea helped found the National United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Delightful and inspiring. This was my second reading of the book. I'm reading the sequel now for the first time!

I rediscovered this book that I enjoyed in Jr. High/ High School. It was so interesting to see how attitudes have changed since then. It is still an inspiration to see how a set of parents use their common sense to take care of their daughter and help form United Cerebral pla

Every time I read my copy, I'm blown away by Karen's story. She overcame so much to achieve a productive life after her parents were told to leave her in an institution and forget they ever had her. The family as a whole provided support and hope for thousands of other families struggling with CP and without the Killileas, development of CP devices and surgeries would have been held back for many decades. Even without all of that, you will fall in love with the entire family. I wish I knew where they all were now!

There is something special about my child… I knew it from the moment she was born… A minute morsel, she weighed under two pounds, and measured 9 inches from the tip of her tiny head to her in infinitesimal toes… I lay back. Still, bathed in happiness. It was like a brittle shell, this happiness, and I felt that motion or sound might shatter it… I could still feel the surge of unbelievable wondering. Enjoy evoked by the babies lusty yell."What do you think of our child? Is she is pretty, as Marie? Did you count her fingers and toes?"…He said that at the foot of the bed and I waited for him to express his delight."You must realize"––John spoke gently–-"she's not out of the woods yet."A gust of cold air entered my son – drenched room and I shivered…

Great book about a family dealing with a cerebral palsy child

This is a juvenile version of "Karen", by the same author.

Karen, affectionally referred to as "Wren", has health issues from birth. Her big sister, Marie, anxiously waits to meet her, but has to wait until Karen comes home, after eight months. Then when Karen is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, her sister assists with physical therapy and daily needs of her little sister. We see how Karen grows and thrives, and how her family accepts and deals with Karen's handicap.

This is an inspirational read for any age.

If you've already read "Karen", don't skip this book, as it includes more details not in the original.½

The story of a girl born in the 1940's with cerebral palsy. Written by her mother, the story opens with the parents' expectant joy in their new baby, slowly being replaced by uneasiness and anxiety as she never moves. Does not wave her arms, crawl, babble, etc. Soon they receive a diagnosis, and an idea of what it will mean: their daughter may never walk, talk, be able to care for herself. Karen's family did not tamely accept that verdict. Relentlessly they took her to doctors and specialists, searching for something that could be done. Their family worked into their daily life physical therapy routines for Karen, and at the same time taught her to be independent and self-reliant in spirit, even as her physical handicap made every little task a struggle. Her family's indomitable faith and determination are very inspiring. She made progress beyond what any of the doctors thought could be achieved, and her parents became active in organizing for and helping other families with CP children. More than just an inspiring story, this is a warm tale of family life, the writing flows easily and is full of life and humor. It's such a wonderful book to read.

from the DogEar Diary

This book about a family's groundbreaking efforts to win recognition of the humanity of people with cerebral palsy was enormously popular in its day (it was first published in the early 1950s). One reason is the character of the author's daughter, the Karen of the title, but the book is also well-written.
The 1940s, when the action mostly takes place, is another world. Everyone smokes--even the doctors offer the parents a cigarette as they sit down for consultation. The mom has more than one low-birth-weight baby, and another of her daughters suffers from both rheumatic fever and tuberculosis, but this was before connections to smoking had been made. She also easily assumes her role as wife and mother in the traditional sense. It was a time when mass mailings for the nascent CP organization had to be written with carbon copies and the local police could be called upon in a pinch to help deliver them to the post office when the parents fell sick.

This book had a major impact on me growing up. I read it many times over. This is the fascinating true story of Marie Killilea, mother of Karen Killilea, a child with cerebral palsy growing up in the 1950's. All the challanges and the joys experienced by this family are heartwarming and moving with every re-read.½

A favorite book when I was a child, read in the '60's.

Marie Killilea writes with humor, spunk, and heart. No mystery where Karen gets it!

I forget what class I had to read this for. It wasn't a bad book, but dragged on a bit for my teenaged mind. I should give it a reread and see what I think.½