Katie's House

Katie's Story

Evelyn and Conrad accepted Katie as a host child under Healing the Children when she was 2 weeks old. Katie was diagnosed with Oral, Facial Digital Syndrome, failure to thrive and not expected to live to reach her first birthday. Katie's birth parents were young and frightened of her choking episodes and not being able to eat by mouth. Finally, Katie's parents decided in her best interest they would release her for adoption when she was 3 years old to the Dudziec family.

Katie spent the several years going in and out of the hospital but she proved the doctors wrong when they advised her adopted family that she would not live to reach her first birthday.

Slowly Katie progressed and at the age of 3 the feeding tube was removed because she now could eat by mouth. She walked independently when she was 4.

Just when things seemed to be going well, Katie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 11. She spent 7 months going in and out of St. Joseph's Hospital Pediatric Oncology Center for intense chemo therapy. Again, Katie would prove she was strong by fighting the cancer.

Katie continued to thrive, but as her adoptive parents were getting older they realized that Katie would never be able to live on her own. They started to investigate into group homes and became very depressed to see what life would be for their charming daughter when they were no longer here.

The dream of a Home Built On Love became a reality with the help of friends and family. Katie's House was registered as a non-profit in 2001.

Katie is now living Her Life, Her Way in a home owned and operated by Katie's House Inc. She attends the YMCA 5 mornings a week, taking yoga and Zumba, 2 mornings a week she volunteers in the YMCA child care. On Wednesday and Friday afternoon, she volunteers at a local thrift store and on Saturdays and Sundays she volunteers at the local theater. Other activities with friends her own age include Friday night Friendship Group run by Katie's House and LACE classes on Wednesday evening at the Sussex County Community College for people with intellectual disabilities. There is Book Club on Thursday evenings and Bowling on Saturday mornings.

Katie is a true survivor in every sense of the word.

Some Food For Thought

Hi,
I am Katie. I cannot speak. You may pity me and if you do I will see it in your eyes. You may wonder if I am aware of what goes on around me. I will see that as well.

I assure you, I am very aware when you are happy or sad, fearful, patient or impatient, full of love or if you are just doing what you think is your duty for me.

I marvel at your frustration when you can't understand me, knowing mine is far greater, for I cannot express myself as you do. I cannot gift you with clever conversation or cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated. I cannot give answers to your everyday questions or comment about the world around us. I try but often cannot give you rewards as defined by the world's standards. Some people that work with me may hope to see great strides in my development that they could take credit, but I cannot promise anyone great strides.

Yet what I promise to give you is so much more valuable. I give you the opportunity to discover the depth of your character. I give you the opportunity to show the depth of your love for humanity. You will find how much patience you have when you are with me and how committed you can be to individuals like me. I will test your abilities and I will drive you further then you ever thought you could go.

So in helping to understand me, I benefit and you will also benefit.

True Love is Neither Physical,
Nor Romantic.
True Love is an Acceptance
Of All that Is, Will Be and Will Not Be.

______________________________

Katie's House, Inc. is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization.
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