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| WOMEN'S FUND EN ESPAÑOL |
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Womens' Fund Grant Recipient - Christina says, "Underestimating one's strength will hinder progress." I chose a degree in Sign Language Interpretation after a few personal encounters with sign language as a communication tool. What made you decide to pursue a Sign Language Interpretation degree? My oldest son had a speech and physical delay at 15 months of age. He and I were referred to the El Paso Rehabilitation Center for Children, located on Schuster. The staff showed us basic signs. Once my son began to verbally communicate I stopped using the signs with him. Eleven years later, I had relocated to California with my two boys. I worked in a special education classroom. I found that most of the students learned more with visual cues. One student lost the use of his voice after an illness, and I became his one-on-one aide. His mother taught him sign language. I had to reteach myself the basic signs I learned with my son to reinforce what the student's mother had taught him. Upon my return to El Paso, I found out my youngest cousin was showing her son signs. He is just over a year old and is able to ask for what he wants or needs. I help her show him more signs. I will work as an interpreter and continue school to earn an education degree in special education. What are some of the challenges you have faced? Challenges I have faced are many...I married during my senior year of high school. My husband was an abusive, substance using, womanizer. I endured a 10 1/2 year marriage, that stripped me of my dignity and self-image. I filed for divorce and went to the Battered Women's Shelter for help. I worked a low paying job to feed my boys and relied on friends and family for support. I had no driver's license or vehicle; I was 29 years old. I saved for a car and recieved a license within 2 months. I couldn't afford to retain a lawyer, so my divorce took a year to get finalized. I did the work myself and learned alot about Texas Law. During this period, I witnessed my sister and grandfather die, within a month of each other, from cancer. I endured death threats from my ex-husband and threats that my boys would be Kidnapped. I have seen the strength of my parents as they took me into their home with my boys, bury a daughter, and raise my nephew. I now face the challenge of raising young men, caring for my aging parents, and helping with my nephew. I am also the role model for all three boys. I am the only member of my family to graduate high school and attend college. What has your experience working with the Women’s Fund been like? My experience with the Women's Fund is just beginning. So far, it has been and exciting adventure. I have heard wonderful things about the organization thus far. I am looking forward to becoming a member and all future endeavors with the group. Do you have any words of inspiration to other women who might be facing struggles in their lives? My words of inspiration are simple. Under estimating one's strength will hinder progress. Be honest with others and true to yourself. Surround yourself with positive supportive individuals. In five years, I will be an experienced interpreter and working on a second degree to become a special education teacher. I will be working with my community to improve the quality of living for children, men and WOMEN! Thank you for everything. Visit Points of View to read more interviews with Women's Fund Grant Recipients |
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