A Family that Overcomes Challenges By J1 Reporter Emily Martin
Hannah Kupka learned the importance of prioritizing her mental health in order to help others. Growing up, Hannah Kupka and her three siblings attended Christ the King (CTK) for grade school. After eighth grade, she went to Westside High School. She was involved in volleyball, track, show choir, and various clubs offered. Kupka’s family was supportive throughout grade school and her high school years. Her parents always pushed her to be her best and stood by her side through all of the challenges faced. “They let me fail and were there for me to figure it out on my own and grow from that,” Kupka said. Kupka continued her education at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL). She knew she wanted to pursue teaching as a career. Kupka struggled with education herself, but knew she could teach it well “I always knew I had a gift for education.” She learned a lot and met many new and different people. Kupka’s parents impacted her life in a monumental way. Kupka and her family
“I make sure I take care of myself. I care for everyone around me so it’s hard to care for myself.” -Hannah Barnhart had to overcome mental health together. Her father grew up struggling with various mental health problems. Although the news was difficult, it ultimately brought the family closer together and strengthened their relationship with each other. Kupka said, “He has done great his whole life, but got sick.” She had to overcome the hardship of helping him and herself.
Her father needed a kidney transplant and lucky enough, Kupka’s mother was the donor. They both healed and recovered great. A couple of years ago, Kupka experienced another fear with mental health in her family. Hannah Kupka met Drew Barnhart at college and got married in 2018 at CTK Parish. “My husband was very sick,” she says. Drew
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had scar tissue wrapped around his intestines. This caused him to have surgery. “It challenged me to have to be strong for him and me, even though I was scared myself on what was going to happen,” she explains. “It also was a wonderful reminder of how important my marriage is to me!” She and her family had overcome all these difficult bumps, but did it together. Reflecting on the experience, she says, “ I make sure I take care of myself. I care for everyone around me so it’s hard to care for myself.” Their family has continued growing closer together as these challenges pushed them to care for each other. Through the experience, God has been with them all. “Faith made us stronger by the trust and vulnerability we built as a family,” Barnhart says as she reflects how God has helped her family. “I love working in a Catholic environment,” she explains. Being able to work surrounded by faith helps her prioritize her faith as much as her family. Faith has helped her and her family through the toughest times in their lives.
