United Brachial Plexus Network

I'm guessing that most of you out there have no idea who Marcelle Karlin is; but, sadly, she passed away today. Even if you don't know who she is, I'd like to share with you the following, which will help me to grieve her loss as well as to honor and celebrate her life:

We met nearly 12 years ago when she first began to treat my beautiful baby girl who had suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth. At our first meeting, my daughter was only 2 weeks old. Marcelle was by trade, an occupational therapist and the department chair at Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego, CA. Lucky for us, our wonderful pediatrician, Dr. Ben Spiegel, referred us to Marcelle, based on her expertise in dealing with bpi babies.

Back then, (a mere 12 years ago), if there was an Internet, I sure didn't know about it, no Outreach, and no one else in the whole wide world that I knew with this injury; just my little baby doll. I wondered about so many things and I felt so overwhelmed. Friends and family were sympathetic, but this injury was truly beyond their comprehension. Marcelle was someone I could talk to.

Marcelle had a gift for working with families. She held a very special place in her heart for our children, and always believed that this injury seems to happen with much greater frequency than it should. Marcelle was my teacher, my coach, and my loving supporter.

One day, during an OT session, while manipulating my daughter's arm, she turned to me and said, "I wish there was some place where parents could go to get help. One day, I'm hoping that the right parent will come along to help me start a group." She then looked up at me. I turned to her and said, "You've found that parent."

In September 1994, Marcelle and I held our first brachial plexus support group meeting at Children's Hospital in San Diego, CA. It was the first group of its kind to form in the United States. Today, it is thriving, (unfortunately), and has grown to incorporate a name change to represent a broader scope than just San Diego: Southern California Brachial Plexus Network.

My daughter treated with Marcelle for 5 years. During that time, Marcelle became much, much more than our daughter's OT. She was a friend; a very special one indeed. Let's face it, our OT's see us multiple times each week...they see our bad days and our good days. They share our joy and our pain. In addition to all of that, we enjoyed each other's company and took time to eat dim sum (her favorite), visit in each other's homes, and she even asked me to be a guest speaker at a regional OT meeting when I received my master's degree, as a way to show her support.

Marcelle came to the hospital when our daughter was first diagnosed with asthma, and visited with me when our second daughter was born. She even helped me think of baby names. We almost went with her suggestion, Malia, which was Marcelle's Hawaiian name. I still think Malia is so pretty.

At one point in time, Marcelle left Children's Hospital to become the department chair of Grossmont College's OT program. This was a great opportunity for Marcelle, as she enjoyed teaching and this gave her the opportunity to pass along her knowledge to others in her profession. She'd even asked me to bring my girls to an evening class to demonstrate limited range of motion and paralysis by manipulating our daughter's shoulder/arm, etc. We compared her limited movement to that of my newborn daughter's arm, which moved freely and at whim. Marcelle wanted the students in her program to meet and see children with a bpi so that they would know how to administer proper treatment.

Perhaps it was 5 years ago, when I received a call from Marcelle. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was beside myself. She was brave. She was strong in her convictions and knew what course of treatment she would follow. After having completed her chemo and radiation, she had a "survivor party." She had no hair at the time. I had a fresh floral lei made for her head. She looked beautiful. We were all hopeful that she would recover fully.

It wasn't but a year or so later that she learned they didn't see any return from the breast cancer, but she would not be considered cancer-free for a few more years.

Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with leukemia, as a result of the type of treatment she endured to treat the breast cancer. It was unbelievable. She held strong and fought so hard to rid her body from the breast cancer. Now, she would fight hard against the leukemia.

Meanwhile, we saw each other from time to time at family gatherings at my home and swapped corned beef from NYC in a mall parking lot with her folks. Despite her illnesses, she wanted to stay involved in the bpi community, and agreed to serve on the UBPN Camp Sponsorship Committee for Camp 2003 (New York). She was always an advocate for families.

Last fall, Marcelle was diagnosed with yet another condition that led to the need for a bone marrow transplant, which she received just a few months ago. As she put it, it was her only hope. This was incomprehensible. How could all of this happen to one beautiful person?

Unfortunately, after an incredible struggle for survival, my champion passed away this morning. I will miss her greatly. The bpi community has lost a great supporter and I have lost a wonderful friend.

She leaves behind her loving parents, her beautiful sister, her best 4-legged friend, Zoe, and many dear friends.

I am grateful for the times we shared. I know that some of my life's contributions were shaped by Marcelle and I am eternally grateful to her.

Rest in peace, dear one.

Cathy

What a wonderful, wonderful tribute for an exceptional person. Thank you so much for sharing her story and her contributions. May you be blessed with peace and confort during this difficult time.

Cathy:

Thank you for your tribute to Marcelle. Your story brought back memories of Miss Irvin, the therapist that helped me in my childhood years for over 10 years. The friendship of caring people can never be forgotten. Your association with Marcelle took on a whole different meaning, focusing on BPI, as your friendship grew. Truly, a wonderful result. My sincere sympathy for your loss.

John P.

Cathy,

Thanks for sharing that very moving tribute to a remarkable woman. I am sure you brought tears into the eyes of those who never even knew her.

The world is a smaller place without her.
I am sorry for your loss.

Nancy

Dear Cathy
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful dear friend.
I was deeply touched by your post.
She has truly been a friend to all bpi injured families.
Her inspiration truly changed the path not only of your life but all of ours.

My thoughts go out to you and your family.
The world was made brighter by her presence.
She left a lasting light of hope and help for all bpi families because of her passion.

Kath

Cathy

What a touching story. She sounds like a very special person and one that you will always keep close to your heart. I am glad that you found eachother and were both able to share your joys, your worries, and your lives.
Please find peace during this difficult time and remember that you now have a very special angel watching over you and all of our BPI children.
Precious story. Thank you for sharing.
~Krista~

Thank you for sharing you wonderful memories of such a beautiful person. She will be missed.

Peace and blessings to you and your family while you mourn the loss of such a special friend.

Shellie

Thank You for allowing Marcelle to touch the lives of people that didn't know her. I feel enlightened and uplifted just from the small bit of her life that I now know. She truly sounds like an angel here on earth. I wish you peace and happiness. She is in a better place and free from all pain and worries. Take comfort in that.

I met Marcelle a few times over the past 12 years at my daughter (Cathy's) home. I remember her with warm thoughts. Her expertise, support, advice, and just being there for Cathy and Elliott while they went through some very trying times, is etched in my heart. My beautiful granddaughter, Elyssa, is a product of Marcelle's expertise and I will be forever grateful. Rest in peace Marcelle.

Dear Cathy...
I'm so sorry for the loss of a dear friend and an inspiration to all. I have to think that a person like her is an Angel on earth...they have a path, and it seems hers was to be a life-line...a solid bit of earth in the ever-changing ground we walk on with Erb's....Hugs to you & yours...Kimba