Facing Fear with a Hopeful Heart

Kayla shows us the perspective of an inner child's thoughts and reveals how her struggle was dramatically altered through the course of a lifetime. Clinging to the hope in her heart and the protection of her inner child, she found her way through fear and the most unimaginable aspect of her life—a journey that no child should ever have to face.

Born with a severe congenital defect, so profound it defines her with deep emotional scars. Eighteen years of failed experimental surgeries keep the reader dangling in suspense—based on the untold true story.

Written reflectively, Kayla gains perspective and an understanding of her purpose, miraculously opening her heart to expose the vulnerable life she lived of which only a few people were aware. Her inspiring words offer the hope that others can find their true voice through writing. With tremendous gratitude, Kayla accepted her reality and found closure by letting go of the past. It took a lifetime to recognize that the past no longer held any power over her and although it may have been a lifetime journey, it is never too late to start your life over with dignity, grace, and joy.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA until her pre-teen years in Cherry Hill, NJ. Karen paints a timid self-portrait, likened to a caterpillar metamorphosing through life with butterfly wings. Filled with fear, she opens her soul to reveal past childhood memories. Altered only by her hopeful heart, she learned to be resilient and a survivor of an eighteen-year struggle and a 10-hour surgical miracle that led her to author this book, based on the untold true story, a one-of-a-kind medical mystery. The poignant memories of her life awakened many questions of the author's childhood identity and who she might have been without the disability that defines her. Writing reflectively and reliving the past has given her closure in the process of healing the child within, allowing her to discover a meaningful purpose and a legacy for her family.

Oddly, Karen pursued a career in medicine. As a graduate of Monmouth University, she earned a BS in Biology and Art and continued her medical education at Thomas Jefferson Medical College gaining further ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathology) certification as a Cytotechnologist. She has worked in clinical settings in both hospitals and healthcare for more than thirty years.
Her first career as a Cytotechnologist director was devoted to learning disease processes— assisting the Pathologists with autopsies and biopsies, and microscopically diagnosing cellular changes related to cancer.
Fifteen years later, she began to explore the impact of healing through art to compliment the medical model. She strongly supported a holistic approach with Alzheimer's patients in assisted living facilities. As Director of Therapeutic Activities for the next 15 years, she recognized in herself a profound sense of validation and the need to make a meaningful difference to enhance quality of life for Alzheimer's patients.
She organized a community Family Alzheimer's Support Group and continued to develop a creative aging pilot program. "HeARTworks," emphasizing the importance of art and music, was shown to increase longevity, enhance mood and cognition.

Throughout both careers Karen dabbled in art therapies and creative aging programs, taught art enrichment from first through fifth grades and later in life established one of the first Paint & Sip (painting party) companies in NJ (2013). It began as a small entrepreneurial opportunity teaching step-by-step painting techniques—never in an art studio, instead Vino & Palette became a traveling business in bistros, bars and restaurants throughout Mercer County over the course of ten years (initially to support charity funding).
Karen currently resides in Hamilton, NJ enjoying life with family, cherished friends and her cat.


Karen can be reached at kareno.author@gmail.com. Comments, book reviews, and inquiries welcome.