Anchor Point amputee shows what it means to be ‘Angelica Strong’

ANCHOR POINT – You may remember the name Angelica Haakenson. She’s the young girl who lost both of her legs in a Christmas Day crash last year. KTVA has been following Angelica’s progress for nearly a year. When she first woke up in the hospital and learned her legs were amputated, her main concern was not for herself but for others involved in the crash. Since then, she’s spent months in hospital rooms and has been learning to use prosthetic legs. Angelica says her life is just now getting back to normal. At her Anchor Point home, at seven in the morning, the sun’s not up, but the kids are. “It’s crazy, kids running around, trying to get ready,” Matt Haakenson said, adding that such is the typical scene in their home. Three kids are already out the door, two more are preparing to go and 12-year-old Angelica is being her typical self. “We’ll take this and this,” Angelica said while packing her school bag. It’s safe to say Angelica has spunk. Matt, her father, says she gets some of that from him. “I think that has helped her through it a lot, being a little feisty,” Matt said. Angelica had a year full of big adjustments following the car crash that took both her legs. Her life and her future were suddenly changed forever, but Matt focuses on the silver lining. “This is an opportunity, there are doors open to do things that wouldn’t have been otherwise,” he said. “You could have had a pretty average life, but now she can have an extraordinary life and do incredible things because of this.” Before Angelica lost her legs, teachers say she was the class clown. “Good morning, good morning. Top of the day, Mr. Sharp,” Angelica said in a British accent while walking the halls of Chapman School. Angelica’s teacher Jonathan Crocker says that’s at least one thing that hasn’t changed. “It’s just like an everyday thing,” Crocker said. “Nothing is different, and she really strives to keep the day as normal as possible.” But Angelica can’t deny some struggle; she likes the attention, but it’s tough at times. Still, mentally and emotionally, people who know Angelica best say her attitude and progress is inspiring. They say they can’t imagine anyone handling the situation better. The hard part now is regaining physical strength. That’s where physical therapist Karen Northrop with South Peninsula Hospital comes in. “She has to be extremely strong in her hips to do all these activities,” Northrop said. “And, of course, in her upper body and her trunk.” Northrop pushes Angelica to take small steps — so that someday she’ll make huge strides all on her own. An hour a day, twice a week, Angelica must relearn simple movements most people don’t even think twice about. Her mother, Mathany Satterwhite, watches her physical therapy sessions in awe of how far her daughter has come. “I’m pretty sure that by January of next year she is going to be running,” Satterwhite said. “She almost is. She tries to run away from Karen.” Angelica’s dream is to get back into sports. “I want to play soccer,” Angelica said. “Soccer is the best.” Goals are part of what keeps Angelica moving forward. One step at a time, that’s the way we all approach life’s greatest challenges. And never has that been more true for Angelica Haakenson. A big part of the reason Angelica wanted to talk with KTVA is because of all the support she’s been given by community members and strangers alike. More than $140,000 has been raised to help with expenses. Angelica wants everyone to know she’s doing great.