Kari Krause wears many hats; Director of Stewardship at a local
church, second year MBA student, community volunteer - just to
name a few. But there is no other hat that Kari wears that is as
important as the one she wears as “mommy”. Kari is the mother of
3 children ranging in ages from 4 to 13. Most parents would say
that having children changed their lives, but for Kari, having her
oldest daughter Haily truly did in more ways than one.
church, second year MBA student, community volunteer - just to
name a few. But there is no other hat that Kari wears that is as
important as the one she wears as “mommy”. Kari is the mother of
3 children ranging in ages from 4 to 13. Most parents would say
that having children changed their lives, but for Kari, having her
oldest daughter Haily truly did in more ways than one.
In 1995, Kari was blessed with a healthy baby girl. However, by 6 months Haily had her
first seizure, and by the age of 2 1/2 was experiencing up to 400 seizures of varying types
a day. It was then that Haily was diagnosed with LGS. It was a diagnosis that took Kari’s
advocacy, education and professionalism to a whole other level.
Kari, who was already an advocate for her child, chose to turn their life's challenges into
an opportunity. She began volunteering for the local Epilepsy Foundation giving
educational presentations, hosting health fairs and participating in fundraising planning. In
2000 Kari returned to school to obtain a degree in Community Leadership and
Development to combine her passion, volunteerism and personal experiences to help a
larger community. She was asked to join the staff in 2006 and was thrilled at the
opportunity to help families on a full time basis while having access to the most current
and innovative information. Within her professional career, Kari has written countless
grants, attended several educational conferences and seminars and collaborated with
many community partners to educate various diverse communities and populations. But it
is the personal relations with families that mean the most to Kari. She has met hundreds of
parents who are struggling with their child’s diagnosis of Epilepsy; many of which also
have a diagnosis of LGS. She has spent countless hours on the phone and in personal
meetings spending the time to council, advocate, and refer to outside sources, but most
importantly, to listen to families who just need to know that they are not alone.
Kari is always available to chat with a parent or family member in need. She knows first
hand what parents of children with LGS are going through. She is honored for the
opportunity to be a part of the LGS Foundation so that her experiences can benefit both
the foundation and the families that they serve. She is also eager to learn more and
benefit from the experiences of others.
first seizure, and by the age of 2 1/2 was experiencing up to 400 seizures of varying types
a day. It was then that Haily was diagnosed with LGS. It was a diagnosis that took Kari’s
advocacy, education and professionalism to a whole other level.
Kari, who was already an advocate for her child, chose to turn their life's challenges into
an opportunity. She began volunteering for the local Epilepsy Foundation giving
educational presentations, hosting health fairs and participating in fundraising planning. In
2000 Kari returned to school to obtain a degree in Community Leadership and
Development to combine her passion, volunteerism and personal experiences to help a
larger community. She was asked to join the staff in 2006 and was thrilled at the
opportunity to help families on a full time basis while having access to the most current
and innovative information. Within her professional career, Kari has written countless
grants, attended several educational conferences and seminars and collaborated with
many community partners to educate various diverse communities and populations. But it
is the personal relations with families that mean the most to Kari. She has met hundreds of
parents who are struggling with their child’s diagnosis of Epilepsy; many of which also
have a diagnosis of LGS. She has spent countless hours on the phone and in personal
meetings spending the time to council, advocate, and refer to outside sources, but most
importantly, to listen to families who just need to know that they are not alone.
Kari is always available to chat with a parent or family member in need. She knows first
hand what parents of children with LGS are going through. She is honored for the
opportunity to be a part of the LGS Foundation so that her experiences can benefit both
the foundation and the families that they serve. She is also eager to learn more and
benefit from the experiences of others.
