From the moment she was born, Karen Gaffney began an incredible journey that continues today. She is the President of a non-profit organization dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, the workplace and the community for people with developmental disabilities. She is doing this by creating awareness and calling attention to the tremendous capabilities of people with disabilities.
Karen graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon and earned a two-year Associates of Science degree from Portland Community College. She successfully swam the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team. And two years ago, she accomplished her biggest swimming Challenge yet…she swam 9-miles across Lake Tahoe in 59-degree water to raise money for the National Down Syndrome Congress and to show the world that people with Down Syndrome are more alike, rather than different, from everyone else. Karen travels the country speaking to a wide range of audiences about overcoming limitations and about what can be accomplished with positive expectations. Karen tackles any challenge she faces with determination and commitment, knowing she has limits, but not allowing them to limit her drive to succeed. Oh, and by the way…. Karen Gaffney has Down syndrome.
Karen graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon and earned a two-year Associates of Science degree from Portland Community College. She successfully swam the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team. And two years ago, she accomplished her biggest swimming Challenge yet…she swam 9-miles across Lake Tahoe in 59-degree water to raise money for the National Down Syndrome Congress and to show the world that people with Down Syndrome are more alike, rather than different, from everyone else. Karen travels the country speaking to a wide range of audiences about overcoming limitations and about what can be accomplished with positive expectations. Karen tackles any challenge she faces with determination and commitment, knowing she has limits, but not allowing them to limit her drive to succeed. Oh, and by the way…. Karen Gaffney has Down syndrome.
We learned about Karen today from one of Isaiah’s NICU nurses, Ashlene, who forwarded us the attached story written by Brian Doyle, editor of Portland Magazine, the University of Portland’s award-winning quarterly magazine. I sat this morning for my quiet time and read all about this young woman. I thought about our son. Then, not a few hours later, I get the following email:
Michelle,
I am Karen’s father. Congratulations on your new son, Isaiah. Karen was born in 1979 and we didn’t know anything until the day after her birth. I had never even heard of Down syndrome until that day.
We would all be honored (if you shared Karen’s story on your website). If you send me your address I will send you a DVD of the documentary of Karen’s swim across Lake Tahoe – nine miles in six-plus hours at 6,300 ft. altitude.
Good luck on your journey.
Jim Gaffney
And at the bottom of the email, was the following scripture:
Michelle,
I am Karen’s father. Congratulations on your new son, Isaiah. Karen was born in 1979 and we didn’t know anything until the day after her birth. I had never even heard of Down syndrome until that day.
We would all be honored (if you shared Karen’s story on your website). If you send me your address I will send you a DVD of the documentary of Karen’s swim across Lake Tahoe – nine miles in six-plus hours at 6,300 ft. altitude.
Good luck on your journey.
Jim Gaffney
And at the bottom of the email, was the following scripture:
Jesus came upon a man on the side of the road who was blind from birth. His disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind?” And Jesus answered, “No one sinned. It is so that God will be made visible through him.”
~ John 9:1-3
Below you will find one of the most touching stories we’ve read so far, and I encourage you to read the below, and let your heart embrace this spectacular young woman. To read, just click on the image of Karen below and scroll down to read the attached document. In case you’re not seeing the picture of Karen below, (perhaps a browser issue, and I don’t believe you can see it on a mobile phone browser), you can read the story online by clicking HERE.