Monika Johnson
Eight years ago, Karey Osadchukentered her freshman year at MSU with intense motivation, optimism, and compassion for others. A bright and talented 18-year-old, she couldn't have foreseen the impact she would have on one of the university's most purposeful departments- both students and staff. When she passed away on January 2, 2010, the way she carried the sunshine around in her pocket" was missing from many lives, said Joe Appelget, one of her friends.
Osadchuk maintained a selfless drive to succeed throughout her life. She participated in handbell choir from elementary through high school, her school and church choir, band, drama, honor society, and dance- all while working at a part-time job. "She graduated with honors from high school and was very active in almost everything," said her mother, Karen Osadchuk.
"She had an enthusiasm for life, always wanting to be doing something," her mother said. She didn't let anything stop her from doing what she wanted to do. She loved school and loved to learn, taking all AP classes." After she learned she had gastroparesis and a number of other health problems in her senior year, she "missed 80 days of school senior year and maintained a 4.0."
At the beginning of her undergraduate years at MSU, Karey was introduced to the RCPD when she met Ginger Martz, who worked with students with chronic health disabilities. However, it was her initiative that left a strong legacy. In 2004, an internship with the RCPD led her to establish the Association for ChronicHealth Empowerment (ACHE). Inspired by the lack of attention to people with"invisible" disabilities, she wanted to find a way to support those with similar struggles as she. The organization exists today in partnership with the Council for Students with Disabilities as the only campus group for students with invisible, health-related obstacles to academic success. Karen Osadchuk, her mother, says Karey often expressed that the RCPD was one of the greatest reasons for her accomplishments.
"Karey's goals were to help to tear down the barriers and help to dispel the rumors about people with disabilities. Karey believed that you could never judge someone by how they appeared," wrote her friends in an article in the State News, published in March. Karey "didn't want people to feel sorry for her- didn't wantACHE to be a pity party, but an empowerment party," said her mother.
Though Karey's time at MSU was undoubtedly different than most students, she took advantage of her unique perspective in order to make a difference. Her classmates often gained from her opinions and input. "She made a huge impact on people with disabilities. A lot of people didn't realize how sick she was- when she could go out and do things during better periods, she would act like nothing was wrong. People didn't realize that going out for an evening meant 2 days of recovery- she was the life of the party," said Karen. She received the RCPD Award in 2005 for outstanding resourcefulness, commitment, perseverance, and dedication in order to succeed.
Appelget describes her presence and sense of humor as uplifting. He says, "She showed me that regardless of circumstances, you can have a good time and make somebody's life better." Family and friends of Karey describe her as one of the most intelligent and caring people they had ever met, with a tenacity for persevering that was unique."Karey credits us with her success, but she didn't always know how powerful she was," said Martz, "her optimism was by far her most outstanding quality. She had positive energy and a great outlook, and were always smiling even if she was exhausted."
Until January, Karey was taking courses toward an MA in rehabilitation counseling. Her ambitions to help people and change the world were unwavering, and she was always available to those who needed her. "She was eternally optimistic," Appelget says. Martz believes that her positive outlook was the key ingredient to her success.
As a student, mentor, and friend, Karey's impact leaves an unforgotten legacy of compassion, kindness, and dedication to one another. "That's the way she lived her life- Be accepting and considerate to those around you, and live life to the fullest. She accepted people the way they were and treated everyone with kindness. If we were all 50% as kind as she, the world would be a much better place," said Karen.