09/20/1985
I did have to grow up fast. I was born and raised in Cambridge MA. At this time in life I was going to the East End House after school program and living off of Seventh Street right by the court house. Every morning was the same routine. I would get out of bed, brush my teeth, comb my hair, and get dressed. I believe today I might have been running a little bit behind schedule because as I made my way to the bus stop I noticed none of my other friends were there, and I stood there a long time before I finally realized that I must have missed the bus. I headed home and when I got there I couldn't find my mom.
I didn't know exactly what I should do. I was only seven years old and this was the first time that I have ever missed the bus. I decided to head back to the bus stop hoping the bus would come, but it didn't. I began to cry. Cambridge Street was a very busy street. The cars were making their daily route. All the parking spots were filled and the bakery across the street had the aroma of sweet pastries. The aroma was not enough today to calm my nerves. I sat on the corner with my head between my knees sobbing like a little baby. Then suddenly I heard a siren and looked up and saw a police cruiser.
The police rolled down the window and an officer asked me, “Are you OK little girl?” I replied, ”No, I missed my bus.” Then the officer asked, “What school do you attend?” I replied, “The Martin Luther King Jr.” He responded, “C'mon get in. I'll take you there.” I hoped into the cruiser and got a ride to school by a real nice cop. When I entered the vehicle it smelled like leather and pine, and there was a cage between the officer and I. When he pulled up to the school it felt wicked weird, to be honest I didn't want anyone to think that I got arrested, so as soon as I got out I slammed the door and ran to the principal’s office and immediately explained what happened.
Ms. Carisle was my teacher and my cousin Michelle was in my class. We had a math test, and for some reason my mind was distracted today. I was always distracted easily. If someone was talking around me I would hear all the noise that was surrounding me all at once which was very overwhelming. I could never focus on one thing at a time. On all my report cards every teacher would make the same comments. Does not pay attention in class, stares into space, and talks too much. What nobody realized at the time was that I was having petit mal seizures. I was talking out of turn because my thoughts were going a mile a minute and it took a while for my brain to catch up to my mouth, for I suffered with a mental learning disability called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
I was a visual, not an auditory learner. I almost didn't pass any grade, but the child left behind. Mr. Stevenson, our vice principle, interrupted Ms. Carisle to ask to dismiss Michelle and I from class. This was a special day for us. Michelle and I attended the same academy taught by Debbie Mason. We jumped in a cab, the cab driver was Michelle's uncle. I told Michelle, ”Funny! I arrived to school in a cop car and got picked up by a cab!” The cab took us into Boston and dropped us off in front of the John Hancock building and our mothers were awaiting our arrival when we got there.
The buildings were huge, they towered like rocket ships. Inside was so glamorous and fancy. As soon as I arrived my mother started rushing me and I asked my ma, “What's going on? What am I doing here?” Mom said, “You have to hurry up and get dressed, you have your dance recital today, it's today!” My dancing performance was based on the movie theme Peter Pan. I was an Indian who had to hoot & holla in an Indian circle. Which was nice and I had fun. Any excuse to get out of school was fine by me.
03/26/1989
Now I am 10 years old and Mr. Peck is my teacher. Today we are preparing for a whale watch field trip and my mom is supposed to chaperon. I had her sign and date the permission slip. I got myself ready as usual the daily ritual except this time I had to wake-up my mom. I cracked open her door and it was like entering a cave. I shook my Ma to wake her up, but she groaned and turned over. I said to her, ”C'mon Ma. You have to wake up. You promised that you would chaperon my field trip today. Field trip. Today.” My Ma retorted, “Yeah, yeah.” I started making my way to school thinking there is no way she is going to get up, and I started to feel disappointed When I got to class an signed into homeroom; guess who decided to show? My Ma!
I almost could not believe my eyes. Mr. Peck assigned us groups and so many classmates wanted to be in my Ma's group. All my friends in my class told me that my Ma was so pretty and cool. This made me and my Ma feel really good. We went on a whale watch to the Island of Shoal’s. Mr. Peck set up a challenge for each group to do a scavenger hunt. We collected rocks, stink weed, the carcasses of species, fossils, and grass and passed them off to my Ma to store. Our group won for we were able to collect all the items off the list first :)
Friday, November 18, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Chapter Seven- It's A Boy!
7/15/1984
The Doctor said to Mrs. Sanchez. “O.K. When I count to three I need you to take a deep breath and push, but don't hold your breath, OK?” Like I said, Mrs. Sanchez did not understand him, but there was a kind nurse nearby her that was mimicking what Mrs. Sanchez should be doing; the nurse used visuals with her fingers and sounds with her voice so Mrs. Sanchez understood what her Doctor meant. Mrs. Sanchez got the gist of it.
The Dr. mentioned, “O.K. Ready? One, two, three, now push.” Mrs. Sanchez let out a huge cry. Dr. said, “Good, good, O.K. We got the head, the baby is halfway there and looks to have nice pigmentation. You need to do it again. One more time. One, two, three, push with all your might!” Mrs. Sanchez pushed crying, “Adios Mios, Ay de mi, Ay mama, Ahhh!” (Here we go, Oh my God, Ouch mama, Ahhh!) Soon the baby came and shortly after that the placenta.
The doctor cut the umbilical cord and told Mrs Sanchez, “It's a boy! Welcome to the world little one.” Then the Doctor passed the baby over to the nurses who did their job keenly to wipe down and clean the baby and suck out all the mucous. The baby let out a cry and it sounded like music to Mrs. Sanchez' ears. As soon as they took the baby she began to grow agitated telling them, “No! dame, dame!” (Give me! No! Give me).
The nurse who was coaching Mrs. Sanchez labor did understand a little bit of Spanish since one of her friends from El Salvador taught her some; speaking to Mrs. Sanchez gently, “Asi, no problemo; este es nino.” (It's O.K. No problem, it's a boy). Mrs. Sanchez tears started to fall as she looked into the nurses eye's and asked, “El nino?” (A boy?) The nurse replied, “Si, el nino.” (Yes, A boy).
At this point Mrs. Sanchez was not crying due to the fact that it was a boy. No, she was elated about all the miracle's that occured that day to bring her to this point now. She was beside this person that could understand her. This was truly another miracle from God. She asked this nurse, “El nino fuerte?” (Is the boy strong?) The nurse responded, “Si, el nino es muchos fuerte” (The baby boy is very strong). Before Mrs. Sanchez even had a moment to ask where the baby was the nurse was there placing her baby in it's mothers arms.
Mr. Sanchez wanted to name the baby after him too. Mrs. Sanchez told him of how ridiculous of an idea that was. She had a better idea. Back in Nicaragua her cousin had passed and his name was Coronado, so in Memory of him she decided to name her baby after him. She told him in her native tongue, “No! Ay que lindo. El nombre es Primo Coronado Sanchez.” (No! Look at how beautiful he is. His name is Cousin Coronando Sanchez).
It was a 7lbs 11oz. baby boy named Primo (which means cousin in Spanish).
The Doctor said to Mrs. Sanchez. “O.K. When I count to three I need you to take a deep breath and push, but don't hold your breath, OK?” Like I said, Mrs. Sanchez did not understand him, but there was a kind nurse nearby her that was mimicking what Mrs. Sanchez should be doing; the nurse used visuals with her fingers and sounds with her voice so Mrs. Sanchez understood what her Doctor meant. Mrs. Sanchez got the gist of it.
The Dr. mentioned, “O.K. Ready? One, two, three, now push.” Mrs. Sanchez let out a huge cry. Dr. said, “Good, good, O.K. We got the head, the baby is halfway there and looks to have nice pigmentation. You need to do it again. One more time. One, two, three, push with all your might!” Mrs. Sanchez pushed crying, “Adios Mios, Ay de mi, Ay mama, Ahhh!” (Here we go, Oh my God, Ouch mama, Ahhh!) Soon the baby came and shortly after that the placenta.
The doctor cut the umbilical cord and told Mrs Sanchez, “It's a boy! Welcome to the world little one.” Then the Doctor passed the baby over to the nurses who did their job keenly to wipe down and clean the baby and suck out all the mucous. The baby let out a cry and it sounded like music to Mrs. Sanchez' ears. As soon as they took the baby she began to grow agitated telling them, “No! dame, dame!” (Give me! No! Give me).
The nurse who was coaching Mrs. Sanchez labor did understand a little bit of Spanish since one of her friends from El Salvador taught her some; speaking to Mrs. Sanchez gently, “Asi, no problemo; este es nino.” (It's O.K. No problem, it's a boy). Mrs. Sanchez tears started to fall as she looked into the nurses eye's and asked, “El nino?” (A boy?) The nurse replied, “Si, el nino.” (Yes, A boy).
At this point Mrs. Sanchez was not crying due to the fact that it was a boy. No, she was elated about all the miracle's that occured that day to bring her to this point now. She was beside this person that could understand her. This was truly another miracle from God. She asked this nurse, “El nino fuerte?” (Is the boy strong?) The nurse responded, “Si, el nino es muchos fuerte” (The baby boy is very strong). Before Mrs. Sanchez even had a moment to ask where the baby was the nurse was there placing her baby in it's mothers arms.
Mr. Sanchez wanted to name the baby after him too. Mrs. Sanchez told him of how ridiculous of an idea that was. She had a better idea. Back in Nicaragua her cousin had passed and his name was Coronado, so in Memory of him she decided to name her baby after him. She told him in her native tongue, “No! Ay que lindo. El nombre es Primo Coronado Sanchez.” (No! Look at how beautiful he is. His name is Cousin Coronando Sanchez).
It was a 7lbs 11oz. baby boy named Primo (which means cousin in Spanish).
Chapter Six- Primo's Arrival
7-15-1984
Mr. Sanchez, like I mentioned before had to work three jobs to make ends meet. Mrs Sanchez being nine months pregnant would have another mouth to feed. Due to the fact that they were very poor immigrants Mrs. Sanchez did not have insurance or a doctor to assist her with her health care.
One day while Mrs. Sanchez was doing laundry she reached down to pull out the wet clothes, while she was bending over she felt a contraction and started to panic. She immediately went to her neighbor for help. Mrs. Sanchez' neighbors name was Rose who was also from Nicaragua, and she actually resembled Mrs. Sanchez who was a short, stout woman with Mayan features. Mrs Sanchez knew she better go to the hospital for this was her second child and she knew what a contraction meant, so she asked Rose to watch Sal while she got checked out by a Doctor.
Mrs. Sanchez hobbled onto a bus and made her way to the hospital. The contractions seemed to be coming on every 15 minutes. Boy did this pain hurt. Mrs. Sanchez was praying on the bus that her baby was OK. When she got to the LA Metropolitan Hospital they turned her away because she did not have insurance, and could not speak English; so they could not understand her predicament. This created quite an obstacle for Mrs. Sanchez She did not know what to do. Poor Mrs. Sanchez, she was so scared. She couldn't even understand why the people in the hospital would not assist her. She was frightened, confused, and overall upset. Now the contractions were coming along every 10 minutes and excruciatingly painful. Mrs. Sanchez sat on a park bench in the middle of L.A. Huffing, unprepared, and getting ready to have a baby.
Soon there was a young, white, and beautiful woman walking her child by Mrs. Sanchez, and the woman saw her struggling in pain. She approached and asked Mrs. Sanchez, “Hi, Are you OK?” Mrs. Sanchez replied, “Ay u dame, por favor!” (Help me please). As she grimaced in pain. The woman came to the conclusion right away that Mrs. Sanchez was in some serious pain and by the size of her abdomen that she was pregnant. Mrs. Sanchez was holding her belly and pointing saying, “Yo soy cuidado, Ay ma ma, Ay de mi! Ay u dame'. Por favor!” (Be careful. Oh my ma!! Oh my God. Help me please.) And then she let out a loud cry, “Aaaaah!” The woman was with her baby and it wasn't too long ago that she was mustering up the courage to deliver her own child. Even though the woman could not understand Mrs Sanchez she definitely knew that Mrs. Sanchez was in labor now. She knew what that Aaaah! Meant; that the baby was coming.
The woman with her baby stroller and child made their way to the nearest telephone and called 911. It didn't take long for the ambulance to respond. When the EMT's arrived Mrs. Sanchez contractions started coming along harder and faster. They were now 8 minutes apart. Although Mrs. Sanchez never did get this woman's name who helped her; she considered her a guardian angel and thanked her kindly
Mrs. Sanchez said to her, “Ay de mi, gracias angel; muchos gracias.” (Oh my God, thank you angel; thank you very much). The woman held her hand and stayed by her side as they loaded Mrs. Sanchez into the ambulance. The woman stood by and watched with her baby in her arms. Mrs. Sanchez stared in amazement thinking; could this be the blessed mother Mary coming to her aide? An angel from heaven above, sent from God? An answer to all her prayers. Mrs. Sanchez said, “Adios, gracias blankita!” (Thank you white woman, good bye).
By the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital her contractions were even closer, they were 5 minutes apart. She was screaming and panting in pain and her water broke so she was soaking wet now. They had her cut her clothes off to get to the spot where the baby was crowning. Mrs. Sanchez felt a little violated since they had to come at her with scissors. She was a bit frightened; but her clothes were all bloody anyways so she let it go.
Sure enough the baby was crowning and the contractions were coming along every 3 minutes The pain was unbearable, but it was too late now for anesthesia. The baby was absolutely coming. Mrs. Sanchez was hoping for a baby girl so she could have the best of both worlds with a boy and girl. This was the first time any man other than her husband had seen her vagina. She felt a little uncomfortable about it. She understood the necessity of it, though if she had a choice she would have assigned herself a female doctor.
As Mrs. Sanchez struggled to push and breathe the doctor buried his head under the slip of covers cascading over the miracle that was about to come into this world. The doctor said, “Oh boy! This baby is coming any minute. This woman is fully dilated and the head is crowning. Seems to be in position. We're having a baby!” As the doctor prepped his nurses for the new arrival he asked Mrs. Sanchez to push even though she couldn't understand, Mrs. Sanchez did as she was told.
Mr. Sanchez, like I mentioned before had to work three jobs to make ends meet. Mrs Sanchez being nine months pregnant would have another mouth to feed. Due to the fact that they were very poor immigrants Mrs. Sanchez did not have insurance or a doctor to assist her with her health care.
One day while Mrs. Sanchez was doing laundry she reached down to pull out the wet clothes, while she was bending over she felt a contraction and started to panic. She immediately went to her neighbor for help. Mrs. Sanchez' neighbors name was Rose who was also from Nicaragua, and she actually resembled Mrs. Sanchez who was a short, stout woman with Mayan features. Mrs Sanchez knew she better go to the hospital for this was her second child and she knew what a contraction meant, so she asked Rose to watch Sal while she got checked out by a Doctor.
Mrs. Sanchez hobbled onto a bus and made her way to the hospital. The contractions seemed to be coming on every 15 minutes. Boy did this pain hurt. Mrs. Sanchez was praying on the bus that her baby was OK. When she got to the LA Metropolitan Hospital they turned her away because she did not have insurance, and could not speak English; so they could not understand her predicament. This created quite an obstacle for Mrs. Sanchez She did not know what to do. Poor Mrs. Sanchez, she was so scared. She couldn't even understand why the people in the hospital would not assist her. She was frightened, confused, and overall upset. Now the contractions were coming along every 10 minutes and excruciatingly painful. Mrs. Sanchez sat on a park bench in the middle of L.A. Huffing, unprepared, and getting ready to have a baby.
Soon there was a young, white, and beautiful woman walking her child by Mrs. Sanchez, and the woman saw her struggling in pain. She approached and asked Mrs. Sanchez, “Hi, Are you OK?” Mrs. Sanchez replied, “Ay u dame, por favor!” (Help me please). As she grimaced in pain. The woman came to the conclusion right away that Mrs. Sanchez was in some serious pain and by the size of her abdomen that she was pregnant. Mrs. Sanchez was holding her belly and pointing saying, “Yo soy cuidado, Ay ma ma, Ay de mi! Ay u dame'. Por favor!” (Be careful. Oh my ma!! Oh my God. Help me please.) And then she let out a loud cry, “Aaaaah!” The woman was with her baby and it wasn't too long ago that she was mustering up the courage to deliver her own child. Even though the woman could not understand Mrs Sanchez she definitely knew that Mrs. Sanchez was in labor now. She knew what that Aaaah! Meant; that the baby was coming.
The woman with her baby stroller and child made their way to the nearest telephone and called 911. It didn't take long for the ambulance to respond. When the EMT's arrived Mrs. Sanchez contractions started coming along harder and faster. They were now 8 minutes apart. Although Mrs. Sanchez never did get this woman's name who helped her; she considered her a guardian angel and thanked her kindly
Mrs. Sanchez said to her, “Ay de mi, gracias angel; muchos gracias.” (Oh my God, thank you angel; thank you very much). The woman held her hand and stayed by her side as they loaded Mrs. Sanchez into the ambulance. The woman stood by and watched with her baby in her arms. Mrs. Sanchez stared in amazement thinking; could this be the blessed mother Mary coming to her aide? An angel from heaven above, sent from God? An answer to all her prayers. Mrs. Sanchez said, “Adios, gracias blankita!” (Thank you white woman, good bye).
By the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital her contractions were even closer, they were 5 minutes apart. She was screaming and panting in pain and her water broke so she was soaking wet now. They had her cut her clothes off to get to the spot where the baby was crowning. Mrs. Sanchez felt a little violated since they had to come at her with scissors. She was a bit frightened; but her clothes were all bloody anyways so she let it go.
Sure enough the baby was crowning and the contractions were coming along every 3 minutes The pain was unbearable, but it was too late now for anesthesia. The baby was absolutely coming. Mrs. Sanchez was hoping for a baby girl so she could have the best of both worlds with a boy and girl. This was the first time any man other than her husband had seen her vagina. She felt a little uncomfortable about it. She understood the necessity of it, though if she had a choice she would have assigned herself a female doctor.
As Mrs. Sanchez struggled to push and breathe the doctor buried his head under the slip of covers cascading over the miracle that was about to come into this world. The doctor said, “Oh boy! This baby is coming any minute. This woman is fully dilated and the head is crowning. Seems to be in position. We're having a baby!” As the doctor prepped his nurses for the new arrival he asked Mrs. Sanchez to push even though she couldn't understand, Mrs. Sanchez did as she was told.
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