Linda Knipps; Volunteer for Disabled

Linda Knipps, who spent nearly all her 41 years on a respirator yet became a tireless professional and volunteer worker for her fellow handicapped, has died.

Larry Lavin, director of the National Health Law Program, said she died Friday of complications of her neurological and muscular problems.

Miss Knipps was educated and trained in mathematics and behavioral sciences, but had been unable to do professional work for the past 10 years.

She did volunteer work, using her expertise to prepare arguments for legislation intended to aid the disabled.

She was a board member of the National Health Law Program, which advises low-income people about available legal services.

She recently protested immigration reforms that would have had the practical effect of limiting the number of household assistants on whom many handicapped people rely.