Katie Needs Our Help!!!

Katie Byers Bakken’s life can pretty much be summed up in one word: ADVENTURE!!  She doesn’t seem to believe in sitting still. After traveling around the world performing with Up With People, she finished her degree at Penn State and moved to New York City, where she was based as a flight attendant.  Not coincidentally, this carreer also allowed her the time to take acting classes and perform.

Have we mentioned she likes to perform??

But then she ran away with the circus... Literally!!! Katie joined Ringling Brothers and traveled with them as a teacher.  As it turns out, even though she left the traveling life of Ringling Brothers, her circus days weren’t over.  She landed a job as a Company Manager with Cirque du Soleil company in Las Vegas, NV several years later.

Somewhere in all these adventures, Katie found time to meet John, a stage technician, fall in love, get married and together, have a beautiful son.  Her husband, John and their son, seem to have the same adventurous mindset that Katie has always displayed...

But now, Katie is facing an entirely new kind of adventure. On Dec. 17, Katie and her son were in a car accident near their new hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia that left Katie in a coma. Their son, most fortunately, was unharmed.

Katie has been very gradually improving and one key seems to be Broadway music.  When she began to regain consciousness, she started to lip-sync to the Broadway tunes that John played for her. That love of performing is having unexpected benefits!!!

In addition to her passion for theatre and music, Katie has always had a love for animals, horses in particular. Katie had begun volunteering with Dream Catchers, a therapeutic riding program near Williamsburg. In turn, Dream Catchers is now providing therapy of sorts for Katie and John’s son, inviting him to attend a vault camp and begin riding lessons.

 The most recent news is that she has come out of her coma to recognize her family members and friends but she is a long, long way from full recovery and her & her family will be facing a financial mountain ahead.

As you read this, we will be posting, John's almost daily updates on Katies facebook page. These blogs (stories) that John writes are the best way to convey the challenge that they are facing and the successes of her recovery. Please read them...

If we can ask two things for anyone reading about their situation:

One, is to ask you to say a prayer, send good thoughts or whatever faith you practice, in your own way, think of them. It is proven that there is power in positive energy, focused for a cause...

Two, is to ask you to please pass this story and webpage on.... People will always be facing troubles & concerns in their lives and someone will always have it worse than others, but for now, if you are not in a position to provide some financial relief (whatever you can), may be the next person can...

Katie will still be hospitalized for some time to come. Money raised through this site will go directly to them to offset the evergrowing expenses.

We are extremely grateful for your generosity and your concern for Katie and her family.

A simple "thank you" will never be enough!!