Janet Kohler. Photo courtesy of The Chadron Record.

Janet Kohler was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident soon after graduating from high school in Nebraska.

Her family and friends said she never complained about her disabilities and kept a postive attitude, according to this obituary in The Chadron Record.

Kohler went on to earn a master’s degree in social work at the University of Missouri, which was more handicapped accessible.

She spent most of her professional life working at the California Mental Health Department, where she was director of patients’ rights, regional director of mental health programs and southern California director of forensics.

The California Senate also passed a resolution honoring Kohler for her service.

Kohler died from cancer last week at age 69.

“You always had a kind word and an encouraging smile. The world has one less caring soul today,” a friend posted on Kohler’s online obituary at the Orange County Register.