In Memoriam: Priscilla Carlson (CO UCEDD/LEND)
June 1, 2016
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Priscilla Carlson (Feb. 20 1978-May 25 2017), 39 of Louisville Colorado, formerly of Park River, ND, passed away of a brain aneurism, peacefully on Thursday May 25 surrounded by family.
Born with a brittle bone disorder known as Ostiogenisis Imperfecta (OI), Priscilla was home schooled until age 12 when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. She graduated from Park River High School in 1995. After graduation, she worked at telemarketing and customer service, eventually becoming assistant sight supervisor and lead trainer. After meeting another individual with OI from Colorado, Priscilla moved out there to take advantage of the accessibility of the Denver Metro area. She attended college at Front Range Community College and the University of Colorado Boulder where she graduated with a B.A. in Broadcast News Journalism and a B.S. in political science. She met her husband in 2011, a year in which she suffered a serious fall from her power wheelchair, breaking 7 bones in her legs and then suffering a massive stroke on her left side. After re-learning how to speak, read, and write, she finished the two bachelor's degrees in December 2012. She and David were married on June 27, 2014. Prior to her passing, she held a job at the JFK Partners Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder Anschutz Medical campus and as an associate at Walgreens.
Priscilla was a tireless advocate for those with and without disabilities. Social justice and fair treatment of minorities were hallmarks of her personality; along with a boundless sense of optimism. This was counterbalanced with an acerbic and quick wit, hampered only slightly by aphasia and disfluency after her stroke. She will be missed by hundreds if not thousands of individuals. An angel is with the angels. Rest in peace, Priscilla Darlene Carlson.
