A personal message from Kristian Kielhofner:
The KCF (Kielhofner Community Fund) was started in 2010 shortly after the death of my father, Dr. Gary Kielhofner. My father was a very important force in my life and his death was a great loss. In the days and weeks after his unexpected death I found myself trying to figure out how to "best" deal with such a tragedy.
I was always somewhat aware of my dad's work but I had no idea just how much it has contributed to other people's lives. As testimonials and support poured in from all over the world in the weeks after his death I only started to realize how big of a loss his death was to the world, not just to my family and I. It was all very, very humbling and I want to thank everyone who expressed their sympathy and support in those first trying weeks.
My dad combined a great man with an incredible work ethic and a great occupational therapist. Looking back at it now that was a big part of his parenting and was likely ingrained in me from an early age. Of everything in my life I am most thankful that I was lucky enough to be born into a family with two fantastic parents. Even though my dad was taken from me a bit too early I was incredibly lucky to have had him as my father in the first place.
In the days after my dad's death I found myself striving to make it as positive as possible in my life. I realize that sounds strange to some people but to me (my father's son) it makes perfect sense. My dad spent his life working, helping people, and making the world a better place. As I went to work the morning I was informed of his death many people looked on in shock. Everyone handles death differently and working is what I was taught to do. To anyone who knew my father this should come as no surprise. His death was only more motivating to me and working to make this situation a positive force in my life seemed to be the most obvious and natural thing for me to do.
The Kielhofner Community Fund was started as a way for me to remember my father and continue his work of making the world a better place in the best way I know how - to support causes in need. As an early stage fund we're starting with causes I'm personally familiar with. As the fund grows I'll be looking in other areas to make contributions and I'm always willing to look at new projects so if you're reading this and think we can help you, please let us know.
If you're reading this and are interested in supporting our fund, our causes, or even letting us know what you think, please don't hesitate to contact us.