A star lacrosse player at Radnor High School, Katie graduated in 1998 and went on to lead her Middlebury College Lacrosse team to a NCAA Division III Championship the following year. In January 2000, Katie suffered a severe spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the chest down. After rehabilitation, with the same determination and strength that characterized her as an athlete, Katie returned to Middlebury where she placed on the Dean's list, helped coach her lacrosse team to two championships, coached a high school all-star lacrosse team and graduated cum laude with a double major in anthropology and art history. Nominated by college friends, Katie was selected to carry the Olympic torch towards the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

In May 2007, Katie completed her final semester in the University of Arizona's masters program in Art History. While living in Tucson, Arizona for the past three years, Katie joined the wheelchair rugby team, which received Division I club status in the spring of 2007. While it is a challenge being the only female on the team, she makes up for it with hard work and a good sense of humor.

Katie continues to ski in the winter in an adaptive "sit-ski" as well as play tennis with her family. She volunteers for the Aurora Foundation of Tucson, Arizona, which is a non-profit that supports young women with disabilities through leadership programs and mentoring. Promoting the idea that even women with disabilities are beautiful, Katie participated in a dis-Abled Divaz fashion show last year.

While eager and excited with the advancements in spinal cord injury research, Katie has become comfortable and confident with her disability. With the support of close family and friends, she will continue to challenge herself and refuse to take the easy path.