Art Norman

Different Ability
Making a Difference

Stevenson Junior Writes Own Rules for Success
Advocate For Disabled Inspires Through Action

POSTED: 6:43 p.m. CDT May 12, 2003
UPDATED: 7:12 p.m. CDT May 14, 2003

CHICAGO -- Stevenson High School junior David Kuriniec is almost like any other high school student. He wants to graduate high school and go on to college.

Kuriniec, who is 17 years old, however, has cerebral palsy, a disability about which he will never remind you. Instead of indulging in self-pity, Kuriniec (pictured, left) is an advocate for the disabled. NBC5's Art Norman said when he couldn't get through a school door, he wrote an article about it for the school newspaper. After it was published, he successfully got a handicapped accessible door installed. Kuriniec has also received a congratulatory note from President George W. Bush after writing an article.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks inspired Kuriniec to become an advocate for the disabled when he saw news reports of people who died because they could not descend the staircases in the Twin Towers.

''I had heard so many stories on 'Dateline' and all the other news programs about people in wheelchairs that lost their lives because they would be waiting for somebody to carry them down the flights of stairs,'' Kuriniec said.

The Deerfield native is a straight-A student who is not only quite adept at creating PowerPoint presentations, but also at motivational speaking.

Kuriniec's work has earned him many admirers, including Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk and Ted Kennedy, Jr., who like Kuriniec is an advocate for people with disabilities. Kennedy was so impressed with Kuriniec that he asked not to be interrupted during a 30-minute conversation with the Stevenson student.

''When we met, he goes, 'What do you want to do with your life?' '' Kuriniec recalls. ''I said, I want to go to law school.'' He [Kennedy] said, 'You know, you have to have good grades.' I said to him, 'I'm a 4.0 [student]. He goes, 'How the heck did you do that? I know nobody with a 4.0 [average]' I said to him 'Well, now you do.' ''

As for his future, Norman said Kuriniec said he wants to run for office and continue to work for rights for the disabled.

Last Updated: June 26, 2002