Feature Story 2: Separated Brothers Name: Chasidy Shrier

Senior, Daniel Karast is the adopted son of Bill and Jana Karast. Karast was only a year old
when they adopted him. Karast’s birth parents died after a car crash when he was only 13
months old. His birth parents didn't have any living family members to take care of Karast, and
to Karast’s knowledge, he was an only child.

Karast was at a UIL Track Meet in April when he might potentially have a brother. When a
teammate came towards Karast while he was warming up for the 100-meter dash, saying that
there was someone on the other team that looked like him. Karast thought he was teasing him
and ignored his antics. When Karast kneeled on the starting block, he happened to look over at
his left and saw a copy of himself. Karast was so shocked by the sight, that he ran slower than
usual and placed second only a fraction of a second behind his double.

After the race, Karast approached the boy and introduced himself to him. The boy instantly
embraced Karast like a long lost brother saying he knew one day he'd find him. Confused,
Karast asked him what he meant by that. The competitor introduced himself as Donald
Stephens. His birth mother was nine months pregnant with Stephens when she died due to the
injuries she suffered from a car crash.

“I always knew one day I would find my brother...When I saw him at the track meet, I knew
instantly it was him. I just knew...I was so happy. I wanted to finish so we could really meet.”
Donald Stephens said. After the meet, the doctors confirmed that Daniel and Donald are twin
brothers. Apparently, Karast’s parents didn't know the boy's birth mother was pregnant with
Stephen at the time of the crash. The doctors had to perform a C-section to save Stephen, a
few hours later their mother died of her life threatening injuries. Now, both boys spent a lot of
time with one another to catch up on the time lost being together. Turnsout, they are more
similar than in just appearance.

“I mean, we look exactly alike. Same curly brown hair. Same wide brown eyes.
Same build. We even have the same crooked front tooth...Getting to know Donald has been
awesome...Seriously, it’s almost like I have a twin...so far, we like the same things. We even
share the same favorite food—cheese enchiladas.” Karast said. Both families get along and
become one big happy family. They both and their parents have spent so much time together to
get to know each other's lives.

“We are so happy for Daniel. He’s always been such a happy child, but now he’s on cloud nine.
He’s so proud to have a brother, and the Stephens are lovely people. It’s been such a
fascinating month — almost like a dream.” Jana Karast, mother of Daniel Karast. While the boys
were getting to know each other, they will be competing against each other one more time at the
regional playoff baseball games beginning Friday, May 27. Both starting pitchers for their varsity
teams. The boys practiced baseball together, but not always. It's just so they both know each
other's pitches. Stephens has a better curveball than Karast, but Karast has a better fast ball
than Stephens. At first, Stephen’s coach was a little worried about Stephens playing up against
Karast.
Feature Story 2: Separated Brothers Name: Chasidy Shrier

“He wasn’t sure I would pitch my best, but then he saw the improvements I’ve made by
practicing with Daniel. He knows now that we both push each other to be better.” Stephens said.
At the baseball game the boys will cheer for each other and both will do their best even if they
don't win. Karast and Stephen’s parents will be at the game cheering for both teams and both
boys. Both families will support whoever moves up into the state and the boy who loses will be
in the crowd cheering the other on.

“I’m not going to lie. I want to win the games this weekend, but I am not going to be devastated
if we don’t win. Win or lose, I still win.” Stephens said.