Page 4 - New Hope Center Summer 2014 Newsletter

Beating the Odds . . .
Article and photos by Kymberley Pekrul - NHC
Janine Beth Krueger-Bratz was never expected to live past five days. Now 51 years old, she has far exceed- ed expectations for her. She’s been employed for 30 years, has moved into her own apartment, fallen in love and recently got married. Janine has truly de- fied many odds.
Blind since birth and “...so small that she was like a little doll, Janine was our two-pound ten-ounce special gift to our family,” says mom, Evangeline Krueger. “We were all so proud to welcome her into our family and we all fought for her, praying and taking special care to make sure that she had the best chance to grow up and live life just like ev- eryone else.” In birth order, Janine is number eight of nine children born to Evangeline and Wallace Krueger of Potter, WI. “Janine is just one of the kids,” says mom. “Her blind- ness has always been something we’ve had to work with but we never let it stop her from accomplishing something she wanted to do.”
Janine began coming to New Hope Center back in 1984; 30 years ago this July 5th. The exact date is easy for Janine to remember, and she is quick to tell you about how she used to work in the commercial fulfillment center packag- ing things for Endries, Kaytee and Pacon. Her favorite thing
4 | Summer 2014 . NHC in-ACTION
to do in her years of employment she says, was working on putting Pacon’s different colored tubes of rolled paper into boxes. “Even though I couldn’t see them, I thought about them, sorting them and putting them in (the boxes) and the job was very enjoyable to me.” Recently she decided to “take things a little easier” and join the Day Service group.
“Janine is just one of the kids,” says mom. “Her blindness has always been something we’ve had to work with but we never let it stop her from
accomplishing something she wanted to do.”
New Hope Center has been such a big part of my life,” says Janine. “Here is where so many of my friends are. I en- joy the activities, the outings and spending time with New Hope staff.” Says Janine. “I’ve always liked to be someplace around people, and helping people.” When she’s not at New Hope Center, she is out and about doing the things she loves. On Mondays and Fridays she volunteers at the Chilton Care Center where her mom is a resident.
“Janine’s happy and caring personality shines through to everyone around her,” says Vicki Shafran, the Chilton Care
“Seeing” Li