This Journey Called-Life, by Jennifer 10-26-03

Hello, My name is Jennifer and I am from Pennsylvania. I am 36 years old and was born with spina bifida. I accidentally came across Kristin's homepage when I was looking up some info fro a friend who is expecting a baby with spina bifida. Initially, I was excited when I started reading about Kristin, because I wanted to contact her and perhaps develop a friendship. Then I read that she has unexpectedly passed away a few days after 9/11/01. I am very sorry for your loss. I am curious what the cause of her death was, and if it was, in any way, related to her having spina bifida? Also, I just wanted to say thank you for keeping Kristin's website on the internet even though she is gone. She has left us all with a wonderful legacy and for that I am grateful. Thanks for sharing her with the rest of us out there in the world.

With blessings, Jennifer

www.enter.net/~forester

Response from Tina (Kristin's Mom)

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for your email and your reassuring comments regarding Kristin's website. We have received many such kind responses since her passing. Of course, when Kris originally designed the site three years ago, we had no idea it would be shared in this way. She simple wanted to share her story and to reach out to other's who share her disability.

In a much different way, Kris is still sharing and inspiring. I draw on her inspiration each day as do many who knew her.

You ask if Kristin's death was in any way related to her spina bifida and I'm not sure if I can give you a definite answer, a clear medial diagnosis, she simply stopped breathing on night in her sleep.

I have to think that it was the way that Kris lived her life that determined when it was time for her to leave us. I truly feel that her life's mission was complete and she was ready to move on.

Kris packed lifetime of living into her 32 years. She didn't leave much out. Each day that she lived was filled with lists of things to do, people to contact and places to go.

She would call me on Saturday mornings about 9:00am and ask what I was doing and then say "is that all!" and then proceed to list, with pride, all the things she had already accomplished for the day. I would say, "Kris, it's Saturday morning, why don't you rest? and she would answer, "I don't have time, there's so much I want to do."

Kristin had so much energy, much more that the average person and much more that her physical disability was capable of handling. She always felt she could do much more than her body could. She never ran out of places to go or things to do.

I 'am sorry that I can't be more specific with you and neither could the doctor's about her cause of death. I've come to a place of peace about her passing and that, It was Kristin's choice to leave, she was complete on this Earth, she had lived her life to the fullest and with every ounce of energy she had.

Please let me know if you have other questions. Tell me about yourself and what your life is like.

It was so good to hear from you. With best wishes,

Tina (Kristin's Mom)

 

You may want to celebrate Kris' life by sending a donation to:

The Center for Spina Bifida & Related Conditions
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205



Acknowledge to:
Tina & Jim Palmborg
Lewis & Clark Square
250 W. Main St. # 501
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Email The Palmborg's here

Click here to read a lovely letter from Kristin's parents.

Click here to read a letter from Kristin's doctor, and see how your donations are helping.

See the list of the wonderful family and friends who have contributed to keeping Kristin's memory alive.

See the pictures from Kristin's birthday celebration.


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