Katie Beck is John and Martha Beck's oldest child. Katie was only eighteen months old when her mother became pregnant with Adam. Katie was a constant challenge to Ms. Beck because of the level of illness she experienced in her pregnancy and the level of care Katie required. Katie gave Ms. Beck focus, however, and gave her a reason to take care of herself and to look to the future. If not for Katie, Ms. Beck might have given in to her illness on several occasions, ending her own life and that of Adam.