HOW WE MET:
To me, the most important title Kurt holds is "My Buddy." We met in 1988 at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
It was outside the arena. Mom was busy trying to fit my wheelchair into the trunk of the small (understatement) Soviet-made
automobile being used to being used to transport us from the hotel to the arena and back. I saw someone running out of the
back of the building. It turned out to be Kurt! Because there was no such thing as accessible seating, my wheelchair was put
on a platform at rinkside near where Kurt had accomplished his famous "Quad". That was a good thing. He wasn't very famous
in those days --especially to an American, like me! I might not have recognized him.
He rapped on the car window, but they weren't electric... and I didn't have the strength to roll them down. So mom had
to stop what she was doing to help me. I congratulated him on the Quad. Kurt simply said: "I just wanted to tell you... you
are the best fan!" With that, he was gone.
Years later I found out others had told him about me. I had been attending competitions since 1981, and had been fortunate
enough to be befriended by many skaters.
Our dear friend, Rosalynn Sumners has been instrumental in bringing us together.Thanks Roz! We love you!!!
With Olympic Silver Medalist, US & World Champion, Rosalynn Sumners.
Since then, Kurt & I have formed a lasting and enduring friendship, which has truly changed my life. I have been extremely
blessed to experience the incredibly warm and caring personal side of this extraordinary man.
Kurt & I may not be as close as were once were, but I hope you'll enjoy reading about our backstage adventures!
INDEX, ENTRIES, & PHOTOS COPYRIGHT 2OO1-03 By KURTKOUNTRY ONLINE/JOHN H. BAKER 
