About the Author At 6 months old, Karen was stricken with rickets which her mother believed at the time left her afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, caused by the very high fever she endured. At three years old, Karen and her five year old brother were admitted to an institution. Karen's brother died in the institution from pneumonia. Ten years later, Karen's mom took her to live with her in Pierre, SD, where she learned to walk, started school at age 13 in the 3rd grade, and completed high school in 1959. She entered Northern State College's Special Education Program, completing two internships: Mentally Handicapped and Physically Handicapped. She then completed Student Teaching. She went on to teach for 20 years at the high school level. About the Collaborator Duane Hickler received his education at Litchfield High School in Litchfield, Minnesota and Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Illinois. He farmed for 25 years and then became a district sales manager for an agricultural company. Writing is now one of the major passions of his life.