KATIE DOLAN
Oct. 31, 1924 - Nov. 11, 2006
Born in Seattle, she graduated from Franklin, and studied at the University of Washington School of Drama. She acted at The Mercer Island Summer Theater, The Penthouse, and The University Playhouse. She was a member of Aftra, a model and teacher with The Beth Leonard Agency, member of a professional oriental dance troupe. She was social director for The Seattle Yacht Club. Wrote, produced and hosted "Women's World" and "Eye on Seattle" on KIRO-TV-CBS. But when son, Patrick was diagnosed with autism, her life changed forever.
The belief at that time that parents - specifically the mother - caused autism required that Katie undergo psychological counseling. The physical/emotional demands of Patrick's severe autism, grand mal seizures, and multiple allergies plus indifference and lack of knowledge of doctors and nurses and society's belief that such children should be kept in back rooms or institutions might have led to despair. But Katie Dolan refused to accept that nothing could be done. She realized that she had to find the answer herself. She researched the world, meeting and corresponding with authorities in the field, reading, studying obscure journals, until she became an authority herself. She lectured to medical students, gave classes for parents to teach them how to access the services their children were entitled to. She and fellow advocate, Janet Taggart traveled to Europe and Scandinavia researching their systems.
Every denial, every rejection, every NO made her more determined to fight for the civil and human rights of children life Patrick. No place for him in public school led Katie to be instrumental in passing the Washington State Mandatory Education Law, guaranteeing education for all children. Desperate families who had nowhere to turn - no one to help, led Katie and Janet to found The Troubleshooters, which became The Washington State Protection and Advocacy Agency -- first of it's kind and model for the nation. Its publication The Inside Scoop provided creative solutions, resources, support and friendship and had an international readership. In 1973, she founded the Washington chapter of the Autism Society of America.
After she retired as director, she founded The Chain Reaction, a civil and human rights organization. Following this came the Houlahan Foundation, providing scholarships and mentoring for students choosing a career in Developmental Disability. She has written and produced documentaries, plays, stories, articles and TV specials on D.D. She has taught and lectured at schools and universities across the country, in Europe and India. She was winner of the Rosemary F. Dybward Award, Matrix Award for Outstanding Women of Achievement, The Jefferson Award for Citizenship Service, 2004 Grand Dames, Women Who Influence and Change Our Community Lives, President's Committee on Mental Retardation National Award and many others.
At the time of her death, she was active in development of Medicard for All, a single card which would serve for all prescriptions and services, bypassing six to ten different offices and mountains of red tape. A prototype card is being issued next year by Northwest Center, another of Katie's organizations.
Because of Katie Dolan's dedication and tireless determination doors have been opened, barriers surmounted, parents and professionals educated. But the struggle is not over. Katie's legacy is to refuse to hear 'it can't be done' -- to refuse to accept NO for an answer. She leaves us knowing that because of her the cause of Developmental Disability continues to change the NO of backrooms and institutions to the YES of full participation and happy, productive lives for our Developmentally Disabled Americans.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Duane and son, Patrick, daughter, Parul (Gary) Houlahan and granddaughter, Sheila Houlahan; sister, Patricia Borgstrom, nephew, John (Mary) Borgstrom, grandnephew, Eric (Delphine), great granddaughter, Stephanie and great grandson, Scott Borgstrom, grandniece, Jeanette (Jeff), great grandniece, Tiffani and great grandnephew, Brian Beste, niece, Nora Borgstrom, grandniece, Genny (Mike), great grandniece, Theresa and great grandnephew, Kyle Lucas; grandniece, Helen (Tony) Filosa and Richard Borgstrom - Sweden. Donations may be made to The Autism Research Institute, SIDS Foundation, Donal Harrington drama scholarship, The Houlahan Foundation or any worthy cause in her memory. No funeral, memorial to be announced.
Below are some links to an editorial and the obituary from the Seattle Times:
Katie Dolan, Mama Bear
Katie Dolan, an activist who stood up for rights of disabled, dies at age 82
