The Cause

Hello World!  Let me introduce you to 2 amazing people- Kari and Barry Conklin.  Over the next 12 days you will be reading a bit about them and about how you can help me lift a significant burden from them. 

Somethings About Kari: 

• Kari was born in the Hudson Valley (Upstate New York) and moved Malone (WAY WAY Upstate) in the 5th grade. 
• She attended Malone Central Schools and graduated from Franklin Academy High School in 1996 (Regents with High Honors).
• Kari Graduated from Elmira College in Elmira NY in 2000
• Her luck with vehicles is pretty consistent with her luck lately.  Involved in more accidents (caused by other people) than anyone else I know.
• Kari has worked in online media, marketing and web design.  She enjoyed her positions at The Culinary Institute of America and Ottaway.  She is currently on medical leave from a leading media giant.
• Kari enjoys volunteering and fundraising and has been actively involved in raising funds to fight against Alzheimer's Disease.  She began her volunteer endeavors one winter's day in 1995 at The Malone Animal Shelter.  Since then she has gone on to dedicate a great deal of time and effort to supporting women in domestic violence shelters and their children. Kari volunteers for CASA and has also served as a court appointed special advocate for children.
• She is the Boggle Champ (unless she lets me cheat).

Somethings About Barry:

• Barry grew up in New Windsor and Texas.
• He graduated from high school in 1998 from Leander HS in Texas.
• Barry relocated to "Upstate" NY and works in a health related customer-client relations field.
• He is a big kid at heart and loves all sorts of video games.
• Barry supports the Alzheimer's Association and spent many years caring for his mom, who suffered from this life changing disease. 
• He is a huge Jets and Yankees Fan, but knows how to share the remote control.

About The Author Of This Blog ( Carrie):

• Kari and I met in the 5th Grade and here we are many moons later.  We go together like peas and carrots.  She really is one in a million. 
• Kari has supported me through thick and thin.  She carried me through many dark valleys in my life.  She has supported me during times of crisis.  She has driven all night to get to me, on more than one occasion, when I needed her the most. 

Why am I introducing them to you?:
I am trying to draw some national attention to them in hopes of a Valentine's Day Miracle.  These two have the greatest love story.  Just when Kari thought she would be always a bridesmaid and never a bride; Just as she thought she was destined to become a crazy cat lady; fate intervened and these two love birds found their lobster!  Kari and Barry were married in September, but getting to the alter was not all fun and games.  They have been thrown one curve ball after another.  A few months before their wedding Kari's dad was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment.  Weeks before their wedding Kari's beloved Grandma Stearns was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  They held their breath and hoped both would be well enough to share in their special day.  If those worries were not enough, Kari started having GI symptoms that were thought to be stress related at the time.  She spent the week before the wedding in the hospital and was quite uncertain about getting out of the hospital in time for their wedding.  With less than 24 hours until the blessed event, her doctor cleared her for discharge and they hoped that her scary experience with intestinal blockage and diverticulitis was behind them.  She found herself  back in the hospital within 48 hours of their wedding.  The following week Kari was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and Barry's mom passed away.  The last few months have been filled with resections, infections, complications, ablations, perforations, recuperation, stagnation and vegetation with no possiblity of vacation in the immediate or distant future.  Kari is dealing with the effects of her cancer and her aggressive treatment protocol. On top of that, she has been having great difficulty with her ability to move and get around.  She was recently diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Dermatomyositis.

What would make Kari & Barry happy right now?:

• A Temperpedic Adjustable Bed and housing with handicap features.  They are locked into a lease and are trying to make due with what they have, but at the moment Kari cannot get to her bedroom to sleep.  She has no access to her tub and shower.  She sleeps in her recliner and Barry curls up near her on the couch.  He is a trooper and I love him and admire all of the fine things he does to bring love and joy to Kari every single day.   Love is in the air and many nationally syndicated shows are hosting love bird contests.  Help me spread this story and this cause like a bad virus!  In the coming days I am going to be asking all of you to vote and help me in my quest to knock on the doors of Oprah, Ellen, Regis & Kelly, Nate Berkus, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz.
• Power in numbers, my friends! 
• Stay tuned for ways to get involved, please.  And pass this story along to everyone you can think of. 
• If you believe in love, If you believe in miracles, join me to move a mountain for Kari and Barry.  It's about time for their luck to change.