When Katelyn Wilbanks was born, doctors told her mother to take the baby home and prepare for her death. But even as an infant, Wilbanks wouldn’t give up.
“My mom said that after I was born I never had a will to die or give up,” Wilbanks says. “[My mom] didn’t let the doctors words give her a negative attitude. She never gave up, and neither did the rest of my family.”
Still, the prognosis was grim. Wilbanks was born with spina bifida. Spina bifida literally means “split spine,” which develops when a baby’s spinal column does not close all the way during pregnancy. Based on other cases of spina bifida, Wilbanks was not supposed to walk even if she lived.
She did both, but not without some complications. At age 1, Wilbanks scraped her toe. The resulting infection led to the amputation of her toes at 5, her foot at 8 and her leg at 15. Wilbanks, however, has pushed through the pain and is still walking on her own with the aid of a prosthetic leg. Other obstacles have come Wilbanks’ way her entire life. At just 18, she’s had 56 surgeries. Wilbanks’ small hometown of Catoosa supported her throughout her surgeries, sometimes too much.
“Several of my teachers wrote off many of my assignments because they didn’t want to add [to my] stress,” Wilbanks says.
She buckled down at the start of her senior year to prepare for the next stage of her life, despite an upcoming surgery.
“I knew that I needed the work because I would be going to college soon, so I made a point to go to all of my teachers and asked them give me the work anyway,” Wilbanks says.
Wilbanks’ drive and determination to finish high school kept her hope of attending OU alive.
“It really is my dream school,” Wilbanks says.
This dream seemed far from reality until a chance meeting with a complete stranger changed Wilbanks’ life for good.
Today Show producer Mary Ann Zoellner spotted Wilbanks three weeks after her leg amputation.
“It was a serendipitous meeting,” says Zoellner. “I was on maternity leave visiting my father’s church when I spotted Katelyn and all her smiles.”
Zoellner and Wilbanks developed a friendship. Zoellner didn’t hesitate to help Wilbanks when an opportunity arose. In July 2006, Wilbanks flew to New York for a Today Show interview arranged by Zoellner. Wilbanks wasn’t sure what to expect.
“Mary Ann kept telling me that they were doing a ‘human interest’ story,” Wilbanks says. “I just thought I was informing the world about spina bifida.”
As Wilbanks waited to walk on set, Today Show staff darted in and out of the waiting room, obviously trying to avoid her.
“I could tell they were talking about me, but I didn’t understand what was going on,” Wilbanks says.
To her surprise, OU President David Boren and the Pride of Oklahoma came marching out in the middle of the interview to hand her a full scholarship to OU. Wilbanks smiled in shock and held back the tears, thankful to OU and Mary Ann Zoellner for a dream come true.
“I chose Katelyn because there are certain people you meet in life that are angelic and take your breath away,” Zoellner says. “Katelyn was one of those people for me.”
Wilbanks’ story inspired many people to give back to others in need. After hearing Wilbanks’ story, members of OU’s Alumni Association decided to open similar opportunities to incoming OU students. Within a week after her interview, the Alumni Association raised an additional $10 million in scholarship funds, collecting a total of $130 million by the end of the month.
Wilbanks even caught the eye of OU Head Football Coach Bob Stoops and Dean of Students Clarke Stroud. Stroud asked Wilbanks to come to football practice, where she met Stoops and Assistant Athletic Director Greg Tipton.
“They said, ‘Katelyn, we’ve heard your story, and if you ever need a job just come see us,’” Wilbanks says.
Wilbanks took them up on the offer and became an equipment manager for OU’s football team while living in the athletic dorms.
Wilbanks has truly touched many people throughout her lifetime. Her happy spirit and signature smile continue to awe even her closest friends.
“I think Katelyn is pretty amazing in the fact that she never complains about anything,” says Wilbanks’ best friend, Lauren West, a high school senior from Okmulgee. “We would be sitting watching TV, and I could tell her leg was hurting, but she never said a word.”
Though Wilbanks continues to face the unique challenges of spina bifida, she wants a normal college experience. Intending to major in journalism with a musical production minor, Wilbanks hopes to use her passion for music to help the musicians she loves rise to fame.
“I like underground bands that no one really knows about, and I hope to help them out,” she says. “I want to film their documentaries, write stories about them and get the word out about them.”
Although life has not been easy for Wilbanks, she has managed to remain strong against all odds.
“I believe you should keep your head up on whatever happens and everything will go your way,” Wilbanks says. “I’ve never let spina bifida get me down, I just use it as a stepping stone.”
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moi 3 years, 7 months ago
What an inspiring story. Katelyn Wilbanks' story is especially relevant to me because I am a freshman here at OU recovering from surgeries for a rare movement disorder that doesn't have a name. Katelyn is a brave person, and I wish I could meet her.