As she was calling out my name at Jazz in the Plazz, I was wondering just who this woman was, wheeling her chair toward me over the dirt, grass and tree roots. I still did not recognize the blonde woman with determination on her face. Did she know me? I wasn’t aware then about the character of this woman.
It was not me she was seeking—she was looking for the politician that I had just finished talking to, and she wanted a word with him. This was my introduction to longtime Los Gatos resident Karen Trolan.
Who Is This Person?
I was still very puzzled, as I did not know anyone in a wheelchair, or “chair,” as it is commonly called. But, I knew instantly that I liked her. I explained that she had just missed her chance to speak with the elected official. She replied that she was a representative for the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SVAR). “We meet in Sacramento once a year, and go over legislative bills with our Assembly person to discuss how to protect personal property rights.” Like I said, determined is too mild a word, and later I learned about how important giving back is to her way of life.
Part of DART
We chatted in the plaza, and as I got to know Trolan a little, I immediately realized, here is a force. I noticed her shirt with the DART initials (Disaster Aid Response Team) for Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. That’s just one of many organizations she’s part of. Trolan is also a ski patrol volunteer.
Squeezing Me In
This past Thursday, after a few months of back-and-forth, we were able to meet. In between handling real estate-related phone calls, she began to let me into her world. This is the sort of person about whom the more you know, the more you want to know.
A Strong Faith
Fifteen years ago, Trolan was severely injured in a plane crash. She was flying a Cessna 206 out of Lake Tahoe when a draft drew the plane down very quickly. The plane crashed and landed upside down in Truckee. While her husband and the two other passengers onboard were not severely injured, she was.
Trolan learned that surviving a small-plane crash was rare. And as the pilot, she was in the direct path of the plane’s engine, thus resulting in more extensive bodily damage.
Her strong faith carried her—and continues to carry her—through a variety of challenges.
And now, she says, her mission is to help others.
Trolan says of her recovery, “I was fortunate to have an extensive network of friends to draw upon for advice and resources,” she said. “Luckily and kindly, the four biggest volunteer activities I was doing before the crash remained in place for me.”
A Realtor’s Realtor
Trolan became a realtor and broker in 1985 and quickly rose up to being a top agent and a manager. She ended up managing over 18 offices in Silicon Valley. During these years (before and after the plane crash) she’s been very active with SVAR.
MLS Gets an Update
As agent and broker Trolan frequently used the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). She eventually became its treasurer. While in this role, she became aware of a lack of accessibility information offered in the listings, and advocated for a change. Now, with better listing information, the MLS can provide additional details that benefit everyone. These details are now being provided nationally and have been very well received.
Motivational Speaker
After healing from her catastrophic accident, Trolan has been able to resume her life with even more determination. Prior to the accident, Trolan was known for her principles, incorruptibility and integrity. And that continues to this day. But Trolan has also become a motivational speaker at a state and national level.
Differently Abled, Not Disabled
For average folks, a routine chore—such as a trip to the grocery store—takes very little effort. But imagine having to think about: breaking down your chair, getting into your car, parking, getting out of the car, reassembling the chair, getting through the store doors, selecting items from shelves, going through checkout—what average folks think of as a quick chore becoming a half-day event.
If you are in a chair taking a bus or public transport, how do you know if your chair has the assists that it needs to go with you? If you encounter a differently abled person in a chair, always ask if they would like any assistance from you. Simple gestures like holding a door are usually greatly appreciated.
Adaptive and Non-Adaptive Athlete
Trolan, having been active before the plane crash, decided she’d continue on with the physical activities she’d loved—and even try new things. An adaptive athlete is one who uses specialized equipment to enjoy sports.
Tolan has tried adaptive water and snow skiing gear, surfboards and mountain bikes, to name a few. Trolan also skydives, goes horseback riding, kayaks, ATVs, canoes, scuba dives, snorkels and swims—just like everybody else. She also does martial arts. With chronic pain, staying active and learning new activities is vital, she says. It helps her to cope.
“One of the lessons that I had learned was focus,” she said. “Whatever you focus on, you will attain. Make sure you focus on the right target.”
And then, anything is possible.
That includes undersea adventures.
“Because I never did well with being told that I can’t do something, not being able to scuba dive did not go over well with me,” she said. “While in the hospital I was so excited to meet a paraplegic that scuba dove…My doctor had told me that if I dove my punctured lung would explode.”
Ultimately, she was cleared to dive, but only to 20 feet. Trolan was eventually able to venture even further down.
I Can Still Do It! The Unstoppable Spirit of a Plane Crash Survivor is the name of her autobiography. And, yes, she can still do so many things, which she covers in her book. Trolan is truly a determined and inspirational woman—unstoppable—and with a strong faith.
