Meet Kristin Knabel—a Kosair Kid
"Kosair Charities helped me bring my baby home"
— Lauri Knabel
By Stephanie Bateman
She skis. She plays tennis. She snorkels. She’s a cheerleader
for her school. In fact, you might say Kristin Knabel can
do anything she sets her mind to. This awesome 13-year old
has an indomitable spirit, the poise and determination of
someone twice her age, and a million-dollar smile that would
melt the most cynical of hearts; making her a formidable opponent
if you were unlucky enough to meet her on the tennis court,
ski slope, or dance floor.
It doesn’t matter that Kristin, who was born with Spina
bifida, uses a wheelchair to get around. It doesn’t matter
that she has to have periodic surgeries. These things just
don’t matter. At least, they have not kept Kristin from
doing the things she loves and wants to do.
Kristin is a seventh-grader at Barrett Traditional Middle
School. She’s an outstanding student who just scored
Distinguished (the highest level) on the reading portion of
her CATS test. Kristin is also the first wheelchair cheerleader
for her school and she is active in other school activities.
Kristin also is modest. She doesn’t think she’s
doing anything very special or remarkable. She takes everything
in stride and doesn’t quite get why so many adults think
she’s "totally awesome." For Kristin, her life
is just that–her life. She says she’s just
like anybody else; she just has to do things a bit differently.
"I can do anything I want to do if I set my mind to
it," says Kristin with confidence. "As long as I
feel comfortable and break things down into small pieces,
nothing stands in my way."
Obviously not. Kristin and her family went skiing in February.
A month later, on spring break, she joined her family snorkeling.
Kristin’s life is far from uneventful. This young lady
is doing more and enjoying life more than most of us.
Her family, especially her mother, Lauri, is the reason why.
"I was scared when I learned my baby would be born with
this condition," said Lauri Knabel, "but thanks
to Kosair Charities, we were able to meet other families with
babies facing the same challenges. When I saw those precious
babies, I knew that my baby girl would be just as precious.
My hope was renewed."
Lauri Knabel credits Kosair Charities with providing the
support families like hers need. "Kosair put us in touch
with the Spina Bifida Foundation, the on-sight clinic, and
the Cerebral Palsy Kids Center." Kristin would never
have been able to have the confidence to try–let alone
succeed–in so many endeavors if she had not been a healthy
child. Kosair Charities’ help and support has allowed
Kristin to be as healthy as possible in spite of her condition.
Lauri Knabel said, "Kristin and this family aren’t
just surviving with Spina bifida; we all are enjoying a rich,
wonderful life that’s full of fun and rewards for all
of us."
Kosair Charities — protecting the most precious gift
of all, thanks to the generosity of caring people like you!
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