Benefit Set for Injured Girl

Two years ago, a little girl’s brain was so severely damaged by encephalitis that she couldn’t see, hear, eat or walk. She was “hopelessly injured,” doctors said. Today, because of her mother, the help of dozens of volunteers from all over Los Angeles and a program of physical therapy called patterning, Katherine Blackburn can speak and read and hear.

Through the repeated manipulation of body parts, patterning reprograms the healthy part of the brain to take over the functions of the brain that were injured or destroyed by illness.

The 3-year-old child still has a long way to go, however, said organizers of a Sunday benefit for her. The art show to raise money for her rehabilitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. at 2079 East 15th St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 258-4463.