Kristin Happel makes it clear with her sparkling blue eyes and exuberant smile that she is more interested in testing her potential than dwelling on limitations.
“Kristin wants to be like the other kids, and she and I and my husband, we do what we can,” said Kristin’s mother, Janice.
Kristin, 14, was diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy. She uses a wheelchair to get around and cannot speak. But Kristin leads an active life and doesn’t hide from many challenges.
A recent graduate of Winston Campus School in Palatine, Kristin lives in Inverness with her parents, Janice and Jim Happel; her sister, Carrie, 3; and her brother, Andrew, 5.
Most recently, Kristin made her confirmation at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington, a strenuous two-year process that ended May 21 when she delivered her vows before the congregation. Unable to speak the words, Kristin relied on a computer-synthesized voice that recited what was in her heart.
“I can be witness to God’s love,” Kristin said, “He has strengthened, blessed and comforted me many times.”
Confirmation is not an easy process, said Rev. Gerald Schalk, pastor of St. Matthew.
“Confirmation,” he said, “is an intensive educational process for our young people.”
It involves classes in which 20 sermons are studied. There also are one-on-one lessons with the pastor to go over the individual verse the student selects for confirmation. The student also must complete a service project.
For part of her service project, Kristin visited Florence Haak at the Lutheran Home for Aged in Arlington Heights.
Grandma Flo, as the Happels came to know her, said the visit was inspirational and created a genuine friendship between the Haak and Happel families.
“She has a very outgoing attitude about herself, which I was glad to see, and I was looking forward now to visiting them [the Happels] at their home” Haak said.
Some adjustments had to be made to the program for Kristin. Her parents had to work with her at home and help her attend classes. It was difficult at times, but Kristin’s energy kept everybody going.
“Kristin has such a love for learning, such a drive, that just looking at her and knowing how badly she wants something, you never give up,” Janice Happel said.
Kristin also competes in Special Olympics, bowls with the Northwest Special Recreation Association and attends an outdoor education camp.
She will attend summer school this year in preparation for Palatine High School in the fall. She wants to attend an adult Bible-reading club.
“Our main goal for Kristin is to be happy and take it from there,” Janice Happel said. “If she’s happy, then all things are possible for her.”
