A story of courage and determination

Joanna Sterkowicz chats to a remarkable young woman who has overcome an intellectual disability and an abusive early childhood to become a qualified nail tech employed at a Western Cape salon

Not only is Cristelle Kriel a nail tech, she is also a champion Springbok swimmer and South African record holder. Cristelle, who turns 29 this July, was adopted at age 4 by Madelein Kruger, who has encouraged her over the years to pursue her dreams.

Says Madelein: “Cristelle experienced immense difficulty regarding schoolwork and went to Eureka School for intellectually impaired learners. She also underwent intensive therapy to help her cope with her traumatic childhood. Cristelle was bullied by so called ‘normal children’ just because she was not like them.

“It was while at the Dasha Foundation School in Nelspruit that she discovered her love for swimming as a sport. Cristelle competed in many international championships and won several medals. She still holds the Africa record in the 100m backstroke.”

❝ I HOPE TO INSPIRE other PEOPLE with DIFFERENT LEARNING DIFFICULTIES to NOT ALLOW THAT to hamper them, or MAKE THEM THINK they CAN’T DO SOMETHING. We can all REACH OUR GOALS. ❜ ❜

Inspirational

In a YouTube video made 5 years ago to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment, Cristelle says: “I want to inspire people and swimming gave me a dream and a dream that I’m living now. So I really want to tell other kids to live their dream and to never give up. I started as an underdog and now I’m top dog!”

Certainly that is the message that comes through during the NailFile interview, as she states: “I hope to inspire other people with different learning difficulties to not allow that to hamper them, or make them think they can’t do something. We can all reach our goals.”

❝ For me, the BEST THING is SEEING PEOPLE’S FACES when they are IMPRESSED WITH MY WORK. WORD OF MOUTH is the BEST AD you can get. ❜ ❜

Career

Christelle has always loved having her own nails done and became interested in nail art during her teenage years.

“I love the Gelous? nail brand as it lasts longer on my nails and the colours are very vibrant,” she notes.

When Cristelle was offered an opportunity to do a Gelous? training course with Jo-D Ströh, she eagerly accepted.

“Jo-D is amazing!” comments Cristelle. “She has given me this opportunity to learn and develop my skills. I battle with theory, and she gives me time to do the practical work. Jo-D has so much patience and is so skillful. I have been in training for a year now.”

At the Gelous? Nail Studio in Kleinmond, Christelle does manicures, pedicures, gel polish, acrylic and foot massages.

Says Cristelle: “I love doing foot and leg massages and feeling how muscles relax.”

She also thoroughly enjoys doing nail art, particularly painting art on the nails by hand and not just using stickers. “I love transforming ordinary nails into glamorous art. And, I so love watching videos and seeing pictures of nail art on TikTok and other social media platforms. For me, the best thing is seeing people’s faces when they are impressed with my work.”

Cristelle has already started to build up a base of customers and would love to add more.

“Word of mouth is the best ad you can get,” comments Cristelle, who hopes to own a salon in the future.

Now that her nail career and education is well underway, Cristelle is wanting to learn to do lashes, brow tinting and body massage.