Bio:Karyn Elizabeth Dallas

	Name:		Karyn Elizabeth Dallas
	Nickname:		Red
	Terran age:		24
	Height:		5' 3"
	Weight:		110 lbs
	Species:		Human
	Place of birth:		Guardian City, Betezed
	Languages:		Betazoid, English, Romulan
	Interests:		Singing, acting and holo-novels

Education:

2367 - 2368		University of Betezed-Guardian City
2370 - 2374		Starfleet Academy - San Francisco
2375 - 2375		Starfleet Medical Distance Education Program, Nursing Program - USS Galaxy

Service Record:

2369 - 2370		Crewman, Teacher's Aide - USS Enterprise-D
2374 - 2374		Ensign, Counselor / Teacher - USS Galaxy
2374 - 2374		Promoted - Lieutenant jg., Chief Counselor - USS Galaxy
2374 - 2375		Promoted - Lieutenant, Chief Counselor - USS Galaxy
2375 - 2377		Promoted - Lieutenant Commander, Chief Counselor/RN - USS Galaxy
2377 - 2377		Promoted - Commander, Chief Counselor/RN - USS Galaxy
2377 - 2378		Promoted -Commander, Second Officer & Chief Counselor/RN - USS Galaxy
2378 - 2378		Transfered -Commander, detatched duty (classified) - Starfleet Command
2378 - present		Transfered -Commander, Second Officer & Chief Counselor/RN - USS Galaxy

Decorations:

2370 - 2374		Starfleet Academy: Dean's List
2370 - 2374		Starfleet Academy: Debate Team
2374		Starfleet Academy: Outstanding Leadership on the Students with Disabilities Council
2375		Awarded Medal of Valor Citation - Starfleet Command

Background:
Karyn E. Dallas was born in 2352 on the planet Betezed. Her parents John and Elizabeth Dallas were active duty Starfleet officers. Karyn was born premature. Her mother died soon after she was born. As a result of her early birth, Karyn was born with cerebral palsy. This left her confined to a wheelchair. Her older sister Kathryn was determined to teach Karyn how to be independent. From an early age John and Kathryn knew Karyn was a fighter. Karyn did well in school. Toward the end of her general education, Karyn decided to take some college courses at the University of Betezed. She had always loved children and wanted to become a teachers assistant. She convinced her sister to attend school also. Kathryn became a medical assistant. Karyn and Kathryn graduated with their AA degrees in 2368. After much thought Karyn and Kathryn decided to leave their father and try to get jobs on starships. Both girls felt they needed to get away from home because John had become depressed over their mother's death. He had started drinking heavily. Karyn got a job as a teachers assistant on the USS Enterprise-D while her sister worked as a medic. It was here that Counselor Deanna Troi noticed Karyn's ability to make people feel comfortable and willing to talk of their problems. The two became fast friends and soon Karyn was observing Counselor Troi part time. Counselor Troi encouraged Karyn to enter Starfleet Academy. Karyn enterd the Academy in 2370, majoring in both Psychology and Education. The Academy was difficult for Karyn. She felt she always had to prove she belonged at the Academy. Most of her time was devoted to studying. Karyn refused to be ignored because of her disability. She founded the Students With Disabilities Council which focused on making the Academy accessible for students with disabilities. It also provided services that could be used by the handicapped as well. While attending the Academy, Karyn met and fell in love with Alan Taylor. Alan is currently serving on the USS Phoenix. The two talked of marriage but Karyn wished to pursue her career. They still write and plan to marry in a few years. Karyn graduated in 2374 with highest honors. She was one of three disabled students.

In mid 2374, Karyn was asked to assume the responsibilities as the Galaxy's Chief Counselor, taking over the role of leading both the Counseling and teaching departments on board the Starship. It was unexpected, but Karyn stepped up to the challenge. Within a few months of taking over the department, several senior ranking officers returned to the Galaxy and now serve under Counselor Dallas in spite of her lower ranking status. Having senior officers below her in the chain of command has only added to the interesting times Karyn has had learning what it takes to run a department on board a starship such as the USS Galaxy.

By the end of 2374, serving during the Dominion war with her extra responsibilities, Karyn received a promotion to full Lieutenant on board the USS Galaxy.

After the end of the Dominion War in 2575, Karyn received the Starfleet Medal of Valor Citation for her part in assisting Admiral Thomas J. Casey's fleet of Akira Starship's mission into the Romulan Neutral zone. Karyn served as First Officer on the USS Wellington and did an outstanding job at insuring the mission was successful. A short time upon returning to her assignment on board the USS Galaxy, Karyn was promoted to rank of Lieutenant Commander.

In early 2375, Karyn decided she wanted to continue her education. Because of their medical training, she and other counselors aboard the Galaxy were often called upon to serve as nurses during emergencies. It was this occasional service that led Karyn to seriously consider a career in nursing. She still loved counseling others, but she felt training as a nurse would broaden her horizons and allow her to better understand how the body and the mind work together to promote physical and emotional healing. Karyn contacted Starfleet Medical and under the supervision of the Distance Education Coordinator, Dr. Nora Gandy, and the Galaxy's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Endris Gakor-Albrecht, Karyn began her nursing courses. By mid 2376, Karyn had passed her nursing boards with flying colors, graduating with honors. She is a Registered Nurse, specializing in both surgical and emergency medicine. A year later, in mid 2377, Karyn was promoted to full Commander by Starfleet command.

Tradgically, when the Galaxy's Chief Operations Officer was killed during an away mission, the position of Second Officer became available. Karyn was offered the position and accepted. She's now receiving training to act as Executive Officer whenever the First Officer is unavailable or on assignment like away team missions.

Karyn was relieved of her duties as Second Officer and Chief Counselor of the USS Galaxy and reassigned by Starfleet Command in December 2377. No explaination was given as to why Karyn, and several other officers (including the Captain) were relieved of their duties on board the USS Galaxy.

After carrying out a classified mission for Starfleet Command, Karyn was reassigned back to the USS Galaxy to her former position as Chief Counselor and second officer.

Personality profile:
Karyn makes up for her lack of physical ability with her quick wit and sarcasm. She will follow orders and be a loyal friend, but she isn't afraid to open her mouth and share her feelings. She is caring and devoted to her patients. She takes her duties as a counselor and a teacher very seriously. In difficult situations she is all business and no nonsense. When provoked she has a fiery temper. Karyn will talk about her disability openly. She prefers to be independent and only asks for help when absolutely necessary. She is ambitious and would some day like to be Chief Counselor.

Special notes:
Karyn has thick, long red hair that she'll wear in a ponytail or braid. She is attractive but not considered stunning. She has a smile and bright blue eyes that light up her whole face. Because of her history, she will only drink on special occasions. Her crewmates affectionately refer to her by her nickname,"Red", especially when she is angry or determined.

Besides using her modern hoverchair for getting around on board the ship, Karyn also has a set of exoskeleton "power legs" engineering created for her that she can wear that give her normal mobility. The electro/bio-mechanical devices allow her to walk around like any other person on the ship. However the added weight and electronic stimulation of her limbs is quite tiresome. Because of this, Karyn tries to limit the use of the exoskeleton system as much as possible when practical to do so.

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