Katelyn Skrabis
date of testimony: January 16th 2018
location of testimony: Lansing, Michigan
age of first abuse: 15
age at hearing: 27
statement read by court official Ms Snyder
MS. SNYDER: Your Honor, my name is Katelyn Skrabis. As a young child I fell in love with the sport of gymnastics. I spent countless hours in the gym mastering my skills and routines. My dream was to somehow make a college gymnastics team.
Like many other gymnasts, I was plagued with injuries. I was 15 years old when I first saw Larry Nassar for my back pain. It has now been over a decade since I was treated by Larry Nassar. I can still remember vividly every detail about what he did to me during his so-called treatment.
After leaving his office at MSU I was completely humiliated and mortified. I was scared and confused about what had happened to me. I didn’t know how to approach anyone to tell them about what had happened out of embarrassment and fear.
The memory of what Larry Nassar did haunted me on a daily basis. I eventually quit gymnastics, never seeking another doctor to address my back pain. Even after my career in gymnastics was over I still thought about what had happened to me.
Since all of this has come to light, the memory of what Larry Nassar did to me has only been intensified. Not only do I think about what Larry did to me, but to all the other victims as well. The thought of Larry Nassar remains in my daily thoughts and my dreams. It is a memory that I will never forget.
Nothing can change what Larry Nassar did to me and the other victims. I hope he receives the maximum sentence and spends the rest of his remaining days thinking about what he did to all of us.
Sincerely, Katelyn Skrabis.
THE COURT: Thank you. Again, as with the others, very nice statement. And although the statement is that defendant will never be erased, I’m hoping that today does erase some of the pain so that you can go forward and the memory is really that you are one united voice and you are a voice – we are all voices on behalf of those that can’t speak, minor children, elderly, incapacitated persons.
Defendant, when he is remembered, should be remembered and pictured behind bars, no longer a threat to any of you. And I’m hoping, Katelyn, that that’s a picture that you see, not that you fear him or remember what happened to you. I’m hoping you can put this behind you and that today your words start that first step putting all of this behind you. Thank you again.
