Reaching for the Stars: A Student Success Story

by Christy Wylie, May 2010

Her name in Latin means “of the heavens” and there is something awe-inspiring about 10-year-old Celeste Juarez of New Braunfels.

Though born with no lower extremities and limited upper extremities, Celeste has moved beyond her physical constraints to be a role model for disabled and able-bodied children alike.

Celeste is the youngest of three, and while her hardworking parents have always been committed to Celeste’s well being, they believed her disability barred her from public school.

So it wasn’t until last year, at the age of 9, that Celeste was enrolled at Lone Star Elementary as a first grader, and there came in contact with Communities in Schools.

“I saw Mr. Jimenez on my way to the cafeteria,” Celeste said of meeting Jaime Jimenez, CIS project director. “He already knew who I was since he helps my brother and sister, and he remembered my name. He invited me to be part of Communities In Schools, and I was excited.”

“The attitude this child has is incredible – she motivates and encourages others with her joy,” Jimenez said. “We call her the ‘shoelace maestro’ because, with three fingers on each hand, she teaches other kids how to tie their shoes.”

Celeste is part of a Communities In Schools student support team that meets each day. She receives counseling, emotional support and help with schoolwork, as well as encouragement to try new things.

Her physical education teacher, Casey Sauls, rigged a crate on top of a scooter so she can play dodge ball, her favorite game.

Celeste has taken up photography, thanks to a camera that Jimenez modified for her use. One of her jobs at school is to take pictures of the other students on their birthdays and earlier this year Celeste won first place in a statewide photo contest.

But for Celeste, simply getting dressed and to school in the mornings is difficult.

Though they juggle three jobs between them, her parents could not afford a wheelchair for their daughter, nor would Medicaid cover the entire expense.

Communities In Schools stepped in, first providing a temporary chair for Celeste.

Then after months of researching costly and often bureaucratic wheelchair donation programs, Jimenez and Lone Star Elementary Principal, Curtis Wubbena, reached out to community partner Peggy Townsend of Townsend Rep Group (TRG) in San Antonio.

Townsend appealed to Rick Hayden, vice president of Colours‘N Motion, a Corona, Calif.-based wheelchair manufacturing company. Hayden came through with a custom-built wheelchair that, with add-ons, retails for about $8,500 — and not just one chair, but also the commitment to continue donating customized chairs that will fit Celeste as she grows into adulthood.

Upon hearing the news, the Juarez family cried tears of joy.

“This type of giving is phenomenal,” Townsend said. “It just blows us away.”

Todd Hargroder, president and CEO of Accessible Designs of San Antonio, donated special electronically actuated brake system. Brad Stern with Supracor in San Jose, Calif., donated a high-end, therapeutic seat cushion. And Britt Sitzes, branch manager of National Seating & Mobility of Austin will train Celeste to use it.

Members of Oakwood Baptist Church in New Braunfels built a ramp on the front porch of the Juarez home.

Ana Calvo, Miss Wheelchair Texas 2009, was on hand at the May 2010 ceremony at Lone Star Elementary when Celested received her first chair.

Celeste will host her own Web page as a member of Junior Team Colours. In August 2010, she will model clothes by David Lega, a designer for people with disabilities, at the Houston Abilities Expo. And later, she will attend Ability First Youth Sports Camp in California thanks to the sponsorship of world champion skier Kerri Vonderbom, who has spina bifida.

Throughout Celeste’s journey, Communities In Schools has helped connect the Juarez family and community partners.

“Celeste has a joy in her heart that is real, and she doesn’t allow her situation to limit her,” Jimenez said. “She is a blessing for all of us.”

Now in her second year of school, Celeste is making good grades, has many friends and said she is thrilled with her new, purple wheelchair.

“I’ll let all of my friends take turns pushing me,” she said with a smile.