Karla Wahlin

Karly Elizabeth Wahlin was born on July 4, 1985 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Surrounded by her family and in her mother's arms, she passed away at the age of 27 on August 20, 2012 in her home in Stillwater, Minnesota. She was a loving presence in so many lives, accomplishing amazing things as a young woman living with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder. Through the long and often difficult journey of her life, she and her mother, Lois Swope, were driven by the challenge of finding Karly's voice. Starting at age 10, she learned to communicate by typing on a keyboard and we discovered that this young girl, who was so physically challenged, was acutely aware of her surroundings and had a sharp, active mind. In 2010 she released a CD of piano compositions, In My Own Voice, that she had patiently crafted over twelve years with the assistance of her music therapist. Although she never had an audible voice, Karly was an inspirational speaker to a variety of groups, maintained a blog read worldwide and had several publications to her name. Karly's love of horses led to her participation in therapeutic horseback riding programs and getting her own companion miniature horse she named Beau.

She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Lois and Gregg Swope (Stillwater, Minnesota); her father and stepmother, Cleon and Cheryl Wahlin and their children, Olivia and Zackary (Golden Valley, Minnesota); her loving sister, Leah Joy Wahlin (Columbus, Ohio); her step-siblings, Sara Hayden, Jed Swope and Daniel Swope; her grandparents and her many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

She loved us so well and we couldn't love her more.

Karly's memorial service will be held at 10AM on Saturday, September 15th, 2012 at Rockpoint Church (Lake Elmo, MN).

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting gifts be made to further develop and maintain Karly's Spiritdances Memorial Garden at her parents' home in Stillwater. Karly's dream was that her garden would be a place of peace and healing for everyone who visits it. Memorials can be sent to Greg & Lois Swope c/o Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd. Stillwater, MN 55082.