“A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn.” — author unknown

Karen Hogan-Gordon is living proof that this adage holds true in life. A woman who has faced several obstacles, Gordon has learned to cope with them all and devote her life to inspiring others and making each day worthwhile. Here is her story:

Formerly Karen Hogan, Gordon was born and raised in Valdosta by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Hogan. She has one sibling, Rick, who now lives in Orlando, Fla.

Gordon was educated in Valdosta City Schools and graduated from Valdosta High School. In 1979, she married David Gordon, with whom she now shares two sons, Derek, 26, and Ryan, 24.

Gordon’s previous occupations include working as a domestic violence assessor for The Haven and Department of Family and Children Services, where she served six counties, and being an administrator for Advanced Hearing Care.

Gordon was deemed profoundly deaf more than 10 years ago, but failed to let her impairment disable her. After learning to cope with the loss of her hearing, Gordon was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys and nervous system, in 2000.

A year later, Gordon received her first cochlear implant to regain her hearing at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

“That day, I was given new opportunities that were not available to me as a non-hearing person,” Gordon said. “I could once again hear the things we take for granted each day like the refrigerator running and birds chirping. All of the things people become immune to hearing are fascinating to me. I no longer have to remember sounds. What a blessing it is to be able to hear and understand, even in a noisy environment.”

With her lupus under control through treatment as well as the ability to hear, Gordon sought to expand her involvement in the community. She began to market for Family Health Care with local physicians and hospitals.

“A really close friend of my mine was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I began to do research on breast cancer as well. I started to work with the American Cancer Society and felt the need to start a ministry.”

Gordon took an interest in breast prosthesis for breast cancer patients who lost one or both breasts during mastectomies. In 2004, she became a registered fitter for mastectomy and American Board Certified in orthotics and prosthetics. This year, she was able to open A Fitting Place, where she sells custom breast forms for breast cancer patients and survivors.

“Dealing with the loss of my hearing, I can relate to the many women who have lost a part of them,” Gordon said.

Gordon is also a part of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and teaches the new members class at Hahira First Baptist Church, where her husband has been a pastor for 14 years.

“As a Lowndes County native, it is great to serve the place I was raised in so many capacities. My mission is to give people what they deserve, a chance to be heard and cared for. My motto is to treat people as you would want to be treated and to do everything unto the Lord.”