Tuesday May 22, 2012
Beckett, Mary Katherine "Katie"
Mary Katherine “Katie” Beckett passed away at St. Luke’s hospital on Friday, May 18, 2012. Known as Katie to many, her life and legacy will long be remembered. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. A Vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church Friday.
Born March 9, 1978, to Mark and Julie Beckett at St. Luke’s, she will be remembered by many who passed through those doors; doctors, nurses, therapists, food service workers and cleaning staff who all loved and cared for Katie and her special needs. Her parents are most grateful for them in their instrumental role in her young life.
Katie is survived by her father, Mark William Beckett and stepmom Linda and stepsister, Chelsea Lee; her mother, Julie Beckett; grandpa, Larry Beckett and stepgrandma Maxine Houser; “Irish” family aunt, Mary Barbara Lenz of Dubuque; and cousins, Laura (Gustavo), Lisa and great-niece, Frances, and Dr. Joe and& Hannah; uncle, John Joseph O’Connell III (Mary Jo) and cousins, Shannon (Nick) Lampe, John IV (Angie) O’Connell and great-niece, Abby, Ashleigh and Casey O’Connell; aunt, Maureen (Chris) O’Connell Barry and cousins, Shaun (Ashley) and great-niece Sophie, Kelly (Adam) Fabor and great-niece, Raven, and great-nephew Duncan and Bailey (Matt Keister); uncle, William Ryan (Mary) O’Connell and cousins, Ryan and Colton; uncle, Michael (Brenda) O’Connell and cousins, Michael Jr. and Zachary John O’Connell, and Amanda DeDecker; uncle, Patrick (Sheryl) O’Connell and cousins, Candace (Ryan) Murphy and Brandon O’Connell and great-niece Kaylyn; and uncle, Jamie (Dawn) O’Connell and cousins, Megan and Shamus O’Connell. They will all live to support her memory.
Katie lived at St. Luke’s Hospital for 3 ½ years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and came home on Dec. 19, 1981, but only after Congressman Tom Tauke and Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, and President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George W. Bush pushed to have an exception to Medicaid policy changed. Today, this monumental legislation is still referred to as the “Katie Beckett law” and now over a million individuals who would be living in hospitals or care centers are cared for at home and in their communities.
She was always an advocate for people with disabilities and special health care needs, testifying many times before Congress, and speaking across the country telling her story and making sure people paid attention to “including” people with disabilities in everyday life. Katie was a writer, dying before she could complete her novel. She had a quick wit and a joyful presence. Always tiny in stature, but with an intellect that warned you to tread lightly.
She will be greatly missed by her close friends Beth, Julie, Erin, Shaun, Cassie and Jessica as well as her family and the many people who benefited from the work she did. She leaves behind her “children,” the many stuffed animals who were her greatest confidants. She will miss Red Lobster, Barnes & Noble, Starbuck’s, Joe Raposo from Dream Street, WWE wrestling and her unending love for Shaun Veers.
Waiting to greet her at the golden gates are her grandparents, Peggy Beckett and John and Barbara O’Connell; uncle, Ken; her beloved, Dr. Darrel Dennis; and her other “parents,” Polly Egan Arango and David Woll; and her uncle, Edward Lenz.
According to her wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help health care workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she wanted to give back.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship for a student with a disability or special health care need has been established at Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, (attention Katie Beckett memorial), or donations can be sent to the Arc of East Central Iowa.
Online condolences may be left for the family at .
Published in The Gazette May 23, 2012. The Cedar Rapids Gazette∼Katie Beckett, contracted viral encephalitis, which resulted in her lapsing into a coma and left her with severe breathing problems at the age of 6 months. Katie's illness forced her to recover in the pediatric intensive care for the first three and a half years of her life, as insurance companies would not pay for the services that would allow her to recover at home instead, even through the attending physicians stated she could. She would require life long use of a respirator for up to 12 hours a day. Due to Katie's condition her doctors did not expected to live past the age of 10.
When private insurance benefits were exhausted, Medicaid the federal health insurance program assumed responsibility for her care. Because Katie required the use of a respirator Medicaid policy required a hospital stay for coverage, even though the device could be used at home.
Katie's mother Julie Beckett convinced her congressman at the time Tom Tauke (R), from Dubuque, that it would be cheaper and easier to provide Katie's needed care and services at home. Representative Tauke sponsored legislation that would become known as the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver. This waiver would make in-home and community health care a matter of policy. Representative Tauke brought the matter to the attention of Vice President George H. W. Bush and President Ronald Regan. President Regan referenced the Beckett's case in a speech on unreasonable regulations and how costly they can be to the American taxpayers.
When Katie finally went home it was not because of a new medical break through it was a due to the intercession of a person she had never met, President Ronald Regan
Today millions of children with disabilities are cared for at home because one family fought for the right to care for their daughter at home. Katie went on to graduate both high school and college, becoming an advocate herself in the fight to create opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
In keeping with Katie's wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help healthcare workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she is giving back.
Beckett, Mary Katherine "Katie"
Mary Katherine “Katie” Beckett passed away at St. Luke’s hospital on Friday, May 18, 2012. Known as Katie to many, her life and legacy will long be remembered. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. A Vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church Friday.
Born March 9, 1978, to Mark and Julie Beckett at St. Luke’s, she will be remembered by many who passed through those doors; doctors, nurses, therapists, food service workers and cleaning staff who all loved and cared for Katie and her special needs. Her parents are most grateful for them in their instrumental role in her young life.
Katie is survived by her father, Mark William Beckett and stepmom Linda and stepsister, Chelsea Lee; her mother, Julie Beckett; grandpa, Larry Beckett and stepgrandma Maxine Houser; “Irish” family aunt, Mary Barbara Lenz of Dubuque; and cousins, Laura (Gustavo), Lisa and great-niece, Frances, and Dr. Joe and& Hannah; uncle, John Joseph O’Connell III (Mary Jo) and cousins, Shannon (Nick) Lampe, John IV (Angie) O’Connell and great-niece, Abby, Ashleigh and Casey O’Connell; aunt, Maureen (Chris) O’Connell Barry and cousins, Shaun (Ashley) and great-niece Sophie, Kelly (Adam) Fabor and great-niece, Raven, and great-nephew Duncan and Bailey (Matt Keister); uncle, William Ryan (Mary) O’Connell and cousins, Ryan and Colton; uncle, Michael (Brenda) O’Connell and cousins, Michael Jr. and Zachary John O’Connell, and Amanda DeDecker; uncle, Patrick (Sheryl) O’Connell and cousins, Candace (Ryan) Murphy and Brandon O’Connell and great-niece Kaylyn; and uncle, Jamie (Dawn) O’Connell and cousins, Megan and Shamus O’Connell. They will all live to support her memory.
Katie lived at St. Luke’s Hospital for 3 ½ years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and came home on Dec. 19, 1981, but only after Congressman Tom Tauke and Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, and President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George W. Bush pushed to have an exception to Medicaid policy changed. Today, this monumental legislation is still referred to as the “Katie Beckett law” and now over a million individuals who would be living in hospitals or care centers are cared for at home and in their communities.
She was always an advocate for people with disabilities and special health care needs, testifying many times before Congress, and speaking across the country telling her story and making sure people paid attention to “including” people with disabilities in everyday life. Katie was a writer, dying before she could complete her novel. She had a quick wit and a joyful presence. Always tiny in stature, but with an intellect that warned you to tread lightly.
She will be greatly missed by her close friends Beth, Julie, Erin, Shaun, Cassie and Jessica as well as her family and the many people who benefited from the work she did. She leaves behind her “children,” the many stuffed animals who were her greatest confidants. She will miss Red Lobster, Barnes & Noble, Starbuck’s, Joe Raposo from Dream Street, WWE wrestling and her unending love for Shaun Veers.
Waiting to greet her at the golden gates are her grandparents, Peggy Beckett and John and Barbara O’Connell; uncle, Ken; her beloved, Dr. Darrel Dennis; and her other “parents,” Polly Egan Arango and David Woll; and her uncle, Edward Lenz.
According to her wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help health care workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she wanted to give back.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship for a student with a disability or special health care need has been established at Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, (attention Katie Beckett memorial), or donations can be sent to the Arc of East Central Iowa.
Online condolences may be left for the family at .
Published in The Gazette May 23, 2012. The Cedar Rapids Gazette∼Katie Beckett, contracted viral encephalitis, which resulted in her lapsing into a coma and left her with severe breathing problems at the age of 6 months. Katie's illness forced her to recover in the pediatric intensive care for the first three and a half years of her life, as insurance companies would not pay for the services that would allow her to recover at home instead, even through the attending physicians stated she could. She would require life long use of a respirator for up to 12 hours a day. Due to Katie's condition her doctors did not expected to live past the age of 10.
When private insurance benefits were exhausted, Medicaid the federal health insurance program assumed responsibility for her care. Because Katie required the use of a respirator Medicaid policy required a hospital stay for coverage, even though the device could be used at home.
Katie's mother Julie Beckett convinced her congressman at the time Tom Tauke (R), from Dubuque, that it would be cheaper and easier to provide Katie's needed care and services at home. Representative Tauke sponsored legislation that would become known as the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver. This waiver would make in-home and community health care a matter of policy. Representative Tauke brought the matter to the attention of Vice President George H. W. Bush and President Ronald Regan. President Regan referenced the Beckett's case in a speech on unreasonable regulations and how costly they can be to the American taxpayers.
When Katie finally went home it was not because of a new medical break through it was a due to the intercession of a person she had never met, President Ronald Regan
Today millions of children with disabilities are cared for at home because one family fought for the right to care for their daughter at home. Katie went on to graduate both high school and college, becoming an advocate herself in the fight to create opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
In keeping with Katie's wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help healthcare workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she is giving back.
Tuesday May 22, 2012
Beckett, Mary Katherine "Katie"
Mary Katherine “Katie” Beckett passed away at St. Luke’s hospital on Friday, May 18, 2012. Known as Katie to many, her life and legacy will long be remembered. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. A Vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church Friday.
Born March 9, 1978, to Mark and Julie Beckett at St. Luke’s, she will be remembered by many who passed through those doors; doctors, nurses, therapists, food service workers and cleaning staff who all loved and cared for Katie and her special needs. Her parents are most grateful for them in their instrumental role in her young life.
Katie is survived by her father, Mark William Beckett and stepmom Linda and stepsister, Chelsea Lee; her mother, Julie Beckett; grandpa, Larry Beckett and stepgrandma Maxine Houser; “Irish” family aunt, Mary Barbara Lenz of Dubuque; and cousins, Laura (Gustavo), Lisa and great-niece, Frances, and Dr. Joe and& Hannah; uncle, John Joseph O’Connell III (Mary Jo) and cousins, Shannon (Nick) Lampe, John IV (Angie) O’Connell and great-niece, Abby, Ashleigh and Casey O’Connell; aunt, Maureen (Chris) O’Connell Barry and cousins, Shaun (Ashley) and great-niece Sophie, Kelly (Adam) Fabor and great-niece, Raven, and great-nephew Duncan and Bailey (Matt Keister); uncle, William Ryan (Mary) O’Connell and cousins, Ryan and Colton; uncle, Michael (Brenda) O’Connell and cousins, Michael Jr. and Zachary John O’Connell, and Amanda DeDecker; uncle, Patrick (Sheryl) O’Connell and cousins, Candace (Ryan) Murphy and Brandon O’Connell and great-niece Kaylyn; and uncle, Jamie (Dawn) O’Connell and cousins, Megan and Shamus O’Connell. They will all live to support her memory.
Katie lived at St. Luke’s Hospital for 3 ½ years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and came home on Dec. 19, 1981, but only after Congressman Tom Tauke and Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, and President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George W. Bush pushed to have an exception to Medicaid policy changed. Today, this monumental legislation is still referred to as the “Katie Beckett law” and now over a million individuals who would be living in hospitals or care centers are cared for at home and in their communities.
She was always an advocate for people with disabilities and special health care needs, testifying many times before Congress, and speaking across the country telling her story and making sure people paid attention to “including” people with disabilities in everyday life. Katie was a writer, dying before she could complete her novel. She had a quick wit and a joyful presence. Always tiny in stature, but with an intellect that warned you to tread lightly.
She will be greatly missed by her close friends Beth, Julie, Erin, Shaun, Cassie and Jessica as well as her family and the many people who benefited from the work she did. She leaves behind her “children,” the many stuffed animals who were her greatest confidants. She will miss Red Lobster, Barnes & Noble, Starbuck’s, Joe Raposo from Dream Street, WWE wrestling and her unending love for Shaun Veers.
Waiting to greet her at the golden gates are her grandparents, Peggy Beckett and John and Barbara O’Connell; uncle, Ken; her beloved, Dr. Darrel Dennis; and her other “parents,” Polly Egan Arango and David Woll; and her uncle, Edward Lenz.
According to her wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help health care workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she wanted to give back.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship for a student with a disability or special health care need has been established at Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, (attention Katie Beckett memorial), or donations can be sent to the Arc of East Central Iowa.
Online condolences may be left for the family at .
Published in The Gazette May 23, 2012. The Cedar Rapids Gazette∼Katie Beckett, contracted viral encephalitis, which resulted in her lapsing into a coma and left her with severe breathing problems at the age of 6 months. Katie's illness forced her to recover in the pediatric intensive care for the first three and a half years of her life, as insurance companies would not pay for the services that would allow her to recover at home instead, even through the attending physicians stated she could. She would require life long use of a respirator for up to 12 hours a day. Due to Katie's condition her doctors did not expected to live past the age of 10.
When private insurance benefits were exhausted, Medicaid the federal health insurance program assumed responsibility for her care. Because Katie required the use of a respirator Medicaid policy required a hospital stay for coverage, even though the device could be used at home.
Katie's mother Julie Beckett convinced her congressman at the time Tom Tauke (R), from Dubuque, that it would be cheaper and easier to provide Katie's needed care and services at home. Representative Tauke sponsored legislation that would become known as the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver. This waiver would make in-home and community health care a matter of policy. Representative Tauke brought the matter to the attention of Vice President George H. W. Bush and President Ronald Regan. President Regan referenced the Beckett's case in a speech on unreasonable regulations and how costly they can be to the American taxpayers.
When Katie finally went home it was not because of a new medical break through it was a due to the intercession of a person she had never met, President Ronald Regan
Today millions of children with disabilities are cared for at home because one family fought for the right to care for their daughter at home. Katie went on to graduate both high school and college, becoming an advocate herself in the fight to create opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
In keeping with Katie's wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help healthcare workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she is giving back.
Beckett, Mary Katherine "Katie"
Mary Katherine “Katie” Beckett passed away at St. Luke’s hospital on Friday, May 18, 2012. Known as Katie to many, her life and legacy will long be remembered. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. A Vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church Friday.
Born March 9, 1978, to Mark and Julie Beckett at St. Luke’s, she will be remembered by many who passed through those doors; doctors, nurses, therapists, food service workers and cleaning staff who all loved and cared for Katie and her special needs. Her parents are most grateful for them in their instrumental role in her young life.
Katie is survived by her father, Mark William Beckett and stepmom Linda and stepsister, Chelsea Lee; her mother, Julie Beckett; grandpa, Larry Beckett and stepgrandma Maxine Houser; “Irish” family aunt, Mary Barbara Lenz of Dubuque; and cousins, Laura (Gustavo), Lisa and great-niece, Frances, and Dr. Joe and& Hannah; uncle, John Joseph O’Connell III (Mary Jo) and cousins, Shannon (Nick) Lampe, John IV (Angie) O’Connell and great-niece, Abby, Ashleigh and Casey O’Connell; aunt, Maureen (Chris) O’Connell Barry and cousins, Shaun (Ashley) and great-niece Sophie, Kelly (Adam) Fabor and great-niece, Raven, and great-nephew Duncan and Bailey (Matt Keister); uncle, William Ryan (Mary) O’Connell and cousins, Ryan and Colton; uncle, Michael (Brenda) O’Connell and cousins, Michael Jr. and Zachary John O’Connell, and Amanda DeDecker; uncle, Patrick (Sheryl) O’Connell and cousins, Candace (Ryan) Murphy and Brandon O’Connell and great-niece Kaylyn; and uncle, Jamie (Dawn) O’Connell and cousins, Megan and Shamus O’Connell. They will all live to support her memory.
Katie lived at St. Luke’s Hospital for 3 ½ years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and came home on Dec. 19, 1981, but only after Congressman Tom Tauke and Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, and President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George W. Bush pushed to have an exception to Medicaid policy changed. Today, this monumental legislation is still referred to as the “Katie Beckett law” and now over a million individuals who would be living in hospitals or care centers are cared for at home and in their communities.
She was always an advocate for people with disabilities and special health care needs, testifying many times before Congress, and speaking across the country telling her story and making sure people paid attention to “including” people with disabilities in everyday life. Katie was a writer, dying before she could complete her novel. She had a quick wit and a joyful presence. Always tiny in stature, but with an intellect that warned you to tread lightly.
She will be greatly missed by her close friends Beth, Julie, Erin, Shaun, Cassie and Jessica as well as her family and the many people who benefited from the work she did. She leaves behind her “children,” the many stuffed animals who were her greatest confidants. She will miss Red Lobster, Barnes & Noble, Starbuck’s, Joe Raposo from Dream Street, WWE wrestling and her unending love for Shaun Veers.
Waiting to greet her at the golden gates are her grandparents, Peggy Beckett and John and Barbara O’Connell; uncle, Ken; her beloved, Dr. Darrel Dennis; and her other “parents,” Polly Egan Arango and David Woll; and her uncle, Edward Lenz.
According to her wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help health care workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she wanted to give back.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship for a student with a disability or special health care need has been established at Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, (attention Katie Beckett memorial), or donations can be sent to the Arc of East Central Iowa.
Online condolences may be left for the family at .
Published in The Gazette May 23, 2012. The Cedar Rapids Gazette∼Katie Beckett, contracted viral encephalitis, which resulted in her lapsing into a coma and left her with severe breathing problems at the age of 6 months. Katie's illness forced her to recover in the pediatric intensive care for the first three and a half years of her life, as insurance companies would not pay for the services that would allow her to recover at home instead, even through the attending physicians stated she could. She would require life long use of a respirator for up to 12 hours a day. Due to Katie's condition her doctors did not expected to live past the age of 10.
When private insurance benefits were exhausted, Medicaid the federal health insurance program assumed responsibility for her care. Because Katie required the use of a respirator Medicaid policy required a hospital stay for coverage, even though the device could be used at home.
Katie's mother Julie Beckett convinced her congressman at the time Tom Tauke (R), from Dubuque, that it would be cheaper and easier to provide Katie's needed care and services at home. Representative Tauke sponsored legislation that would become known as the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver. This waiver would make in-home and community health care a matter of policy. Representative Tauke brought the matter to the attention of Vice President George H. W. Bush and President Ronald Regan. President Regan referenced the Beckett's case in a speech on unreasonable regulations and how costly they can be to the American taxpayers.
When Katie finally went home it was not because of a new medical break through it was a due to the intercession of a person she had never met, President Ronald Regan
Today millions of children with disabilities are cared for at home because one family fought for the right to care for their daughter at home. Katie went on to graduate both high school and college, becoming an advocate herself in the fight to create opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
In keeping with Katie's wishes her body will be donated to the University of Iowa to help healthcare workers learn from her experience. Even in death, she is giving back.
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