Funny that this thread should pop up again. I've just returned from visiting my sister and BIL in New Orleans, where she told me about Karen's passing. My sister has read and reread the Karen books, and followed whatever she could find about Karen in the news. She said it was Karen's comments about leaving the crutches behind and choosing to use a wheelchair that gave her the courage to do so, too. She also said similar things- that although a wheelchair always seemed to signify giving up, it actually increased her independence, strength, and energy for everyday life and experiences- the same things Karen found.