Page 18 - Flathead Beacon // 3.18.15

18 | MARCH 18, 2015 COVER FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Susan Cahill, pictured at her Kalispell home. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
A Year Later, Fallout from O Destroyed Clinic Lingers
n March 4, 2014, Zachary Zachary Klundt devastated the only clinic surface, and her walls are decorated with Klundt broke into All Fami- colorful paintings and prints, each one lies Healthcare in Kalispell catching the strong early-spring sun- and destroyed what he could in the valley that provided abortions. Now, light from the many windows through-
get his hands on. Furniture was broken, both Klundt and the clinic’s owner, Susan out the house.
office supplies scattered, diplomas and art torn up; personal items, including a photo of a child, were stabbed.
Klundt no longer denies that he did this, and he plans to admit as much in court during a change of plea hearing.
But, as is so often the case with violence, the actions of one have affected many. All Families Healthcare has not reopened since the vandalism, and its proprietor, Susan Cahill, has been out of work for a year. Patients were shifted to new health care providers, and the Flathead Valley lost its only clinic willing to perform abortions.
With Klundt’s change of plea im- minent, the question has shifted from whether he is guilty of the break-in to
Cahill, are contemplating uncertain futures BY MOLLY PRIDDY
Before settling in to talk about the loss of her business, Cahill slips into grandma mode, showing a photo of her grandson and her son, both beautiful, both smiling.
Her son and his wife and child live in Germany, and Cahill and her husband are preparing for a long trip to visit them. They’ve been planning the vacation for years, Cahill said, but the last year has cast her plans in doubt, financially.
The destruction at All Families Healthcare last year was so total she had to shut down.
“I came to work on a Tuesday and my office was completely destroyed. Completely destroyed,” she said. “He broke things you wouldn’t even think
what sort of punishment he will re- ceive from the Flathead County District Court. He faces a potential prison sen- tence for a bevy of charges connected to the March 4 evening.
For Cahill, her future is in limbo: Un- able as of yet to find a space in the valley willing to rent to her, she says she can’t continue her practice as a physician’s as- sistant, even though she has decided to stop performing abortions.
“I promised my family I wasn’t going to be a martyr; I’ve had enough. Which doesn’t make me feel particularly hap- py,” Cahill said. “They were worried
husband Steve Martinez share
is full of light and art and photo- graphs. Framed pictures of her family and friends line almost every available
he house Susan Cahill and her aT
bout me.”