KARINA AND MARIA

18 January

Would anyone believe what happened to our favorite patients? Within one week, Maria fell while washing clothes. She sports a lump on her head and a beautiful black eye. Karina did not fare so well. While at home her brace broke and could not be used. Walking without it, she fell and broke a bone in her knee. Three days in the dreaded government hospital, no visitors, poor food, and all the other non-comforts associated with Mexican hospitals. She is back home now with a plaster cast on her leg. Today, Marge spent hours on the phone with Shriner making arrangements for Karina to return to that hospital. I say, return because she dropped out of the program a few years ago after missing several doctor appointments. In less than two months she will be too old to receive treatment at Shriners. This is her last chance at this wonderful facility. We pray that she takes this opportunity even though she has proven unreliable in the past. Through Marge’s efforts, Karina has an appointment at Shriners for Thursday, Jan22. Our good friend Alan Pryor, together with the help of Maria Mojica, the INS coordinator at Shriners, worked another miracle for us.

Who hit you, Maria? “No, no, I was not hit by anyone. I fell in the back while washing. It looked worse before. I was going to Guadalajara to find birth and death dates of my parents.The government officials said it was necessary in order to buy my lot. Now they tell me it is not necessary”.” These government parasites are truly taking advantage of this poor, crippled girl. “Wednesday, 110

I am going back to the land office to ask for more help in this matter·” Will it ever end for her? Marge asked Maria about the trip to Guadalajara.” It costs $175.00, round trip by bus. Three days going and three days to return.” Marge was shocked by the ordeal that Maria was spared. If you ever have to make that trip, you must go by plane. You have the money in your “bank.” “Ok Magie, I will do as you say.”

We stopped at Maria’s first on the way to Mariano and lunch at Elva’s house. Maria was preparing for her day at the border. “What a miracle that you came to visit me!” It has been so long, [3 weeks], I missed you and Magie very much.” As if we did not miss her! Her life is so confining with hardly any adult friends. She cherishes every minute we spend in her room.

We had good news for Maria. Alan is coming down to her room this Saturday to measure her for the braces. We’re to meet at Ihop, have to breakfast and then go over to Maria’s. Neither will be too shocked by her circumstances. Alan goes down to Mexico constantly with their clinics, and his wife comes from a small Mexican village. “Do not worry David, l will not be embarrassed by these people.” Indeed she will not. Her room will be as clean as possible, the boys will be scrubbed to shine. Maria will present her usual impeccable self.” Do not bring me any more things until March. I have much to sell. “Ok, how about the candy we received from Ralph’s? Two bags to sell? “Ok, David.” She was preparing for her day at the “ linea “ and we were late getting to Elva’s. We hugged and said our goodbyes and were off.

It has been many months since we sat at Elva’s table. Karina’s mother is one of our oldest friends. A wonderful cook, generous to a fault, but sadly lacking in many parental skills. After the Carter project blitz had finished, I spent most Saturdays at Mariano helping to finish the houses. During those months we met many of the people with whom we have become so close. I remember seeing 111

Karina each week standing at her door, crutches supporting her weight, watching the others working on the various houses. Her entire life on those crutches. What can we do about her condition? That was the inning of a long search on both sides of the border looking for help for her. Shriners solved all that. It was hard on her with the several casts bending her leg straight. The pain was great. We know; she stayed with us after the operation.

Elva is a fine hostess. She has been to our house many times and I think she has picked up some pointers on how to set a table and entertain. Our meal was excellent as usual. She made Marge’s favorite red rice dish, tasty shredded pork, salad, avocado, and her great salsa. Karina has followed her mother’s knack for cooking. On our last visit with Elva, she introduced us to her friend, Jesus. How excited she was! He wants to get married. What a nice man. He has fixed up the house and the place is cleaner than it has been in years. She definitely needs direction. Marge remarked later that he looks like Cesar Romero. He does! He works at a local supermarket and she met him there. Go for it, Elva! This guy looks like a rare find. She is hesitant. She has been a widow for many years. It is a big decision. Stay tuned for the next installment.

‘’After our visit with Elva, we made our way over to Leonila ‘s house, stopping on the way to talk with Prisciliana, Mario, and don Nacho and his wife, Esther. Prisciliana’s son Pollo, had cut down a large tree in their front yard and had made a table on the stump. What a great idea! The gang meets there, plays cards, dominos, and whatever. These are kids, adults really, who have great fun at this house; a real meeting place. No problems, ever, just lots of good fun. Prisciliana has done a wonderful job with her children. Poor don Nacho, usually alone at his house. Today was different, several grandchildren were down from L.A. He is a picture, sitting with all the kids gathered around. Today he is feeling well, thank God. Nacho was a “maestro”, a teacher on the Carter project; a veritable 112

jack of all trades. He has done it all. The volunteers loved him and his way of showing how things are done. The days are still short. We had to see Karina before the darkness came.

Karina lives with her grandmother, Leonila, Elva’s mother. Some family problem brought her over there. It was better all around, with more discipline for a young girl. In some ways, she is like her mother, very low-key, and tends to let things slide. Highly intelligent but with no ambition for the school. How many times we have said, “no more help for her, let her make her own arrangements with Shriners.” It was the same story with the school. What lengths did we go to in getting her back in school and that failed after one year? These people, we just cannot let go. Anyway, we still love her and will do what we can. Karina was very quiet, almost embarrassed by our visit. No doubt thinking of the past missed trips to Shriners. This is your last chance.do not miss this appointment. The brace costs over one thousand dollars. That got her attention. “No, David, I will be there. “Promise?” Yes, I promise you. “She has little choice. No brace, no work in the factory. Do you have any crutches?” No, I do not know where to get any. “Maria would have crutches the same day if she were in that situation. I have one of her old ones, signed and hanging in my office. She does not have the other. Two days later I brought down a pair I had from Joe Guth. At least we got something out of him. A new wheelchair for Maria, and these crutches. See what I mean? To the rescue again. Thursday, we walked on eggs all day worrying if they made the trip. Wednesday night Elva called.” I do not know how we will get to the border.”. No, no, I’m not getting into that situation. Call Esmeralda, her niece, and call a neighbor. Call someone. And, bring money enough for the bus, there is no room for you in the Shriner’s van. Moore moaning; groaning. This is the last chance. Don’t miss it! Thursday afternoon, I asked Marge to call and see if they made it. They did!

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Our next event that week went much easier. Saturday morning Alan and his wife, Elvia, were waiting for us at Ihop.” l was not sure if I said 9 am or l0 am. So we got there at 9. “We feel good about Alan. On his day off he drives down from Whittier to measure Maria for braces. We arrived at Maria’s room at 11 am. She was waiting outside her door. When she has company she always waits outside. She took to Alan and Elvia immediately. They have two children the same age as Maria. They made nothing of her surroundings. The boys came in and greeted the two. Javier hung back a bit and was prompted by his mother to greet these two new people. He did. In less than one hour Alan had finished. Very exact and very thorough. Maria was ready for her day at the border so we did not stay long. She has a way of telling one that she is busy or has something scheduled. Washing, cleaning, the border, whatever. A one-word phrase, ok?” It took me a while but I finally realized what she meant by “ok?” It was her polite way of excusing herself. The lady never ceases to amaze us. I may use the words, “crippled” or “ handicapped “ in this story, but Maria is far from either. Independent, proud, survivalist, better describes her. Alan said that the braces should take two weeks to complete. As I write this chapter it is two weeks and one day. Not to worry yet.

Humboldt Ave. leads to the Otay border. A group of new homes is being built on Humboldt. We stopped to see them. 12 two-story houses in this little area. Ten have sold already. The salesman took us through one. Concrete block walls, stucco outside, plaster inside. Very well built. 1500sqft, two bedrooms, 21/ 2 baths,2 car carport. Who can afford such homes priced at $98,000, on the high end? Rich Mexicans would not want to live near such a busy road. For high-salary Mexicans, working in the US would be perfect. We talked with the salesman. Only 2 story homes. Out of the question for Maria. “However, our company will build a house any place you

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wish.” I’ll bring you the plans and specs for an estimate. We need another price for comparison.

Jan.8

Our date for lunch with Sra. Maria Elena Davalos, “la doctora’’, was rained out today. The storms have been fierce. Cruel flooding and mudslides have killed 14 people in the Tijuana area. The Carter project neighbors call her doctora because she once studied to become a medical doctor. She was forced to abandon her studies when the cost became too great. I have seen her old textbooks. In those days French was the language used to study medicine. She and her two daughters, Diana and Maria Elena are fine cultured people. Elena’s daughter. Jackie, was one of our kids to go up to Shriners. Her foot problem was minor but she is in the program if anything should arise. They all have moved out of the area. The terrible roads were just too much for them. Today, the road to Mariano, la ruta Hidalgo, is a virtual lake. Remember at Christmas when Jim and I made the trip with the food and turkeys? It was bad that day with the rain and mud and stranded vehicles. Compared to last week’s storms, it was a drive in the desert. If only the government would pave that last 3/4 mile of the road to the homes! Doctora lives in a better area now, with paved roads. We rescheduled our luncheon date to March 15.

Tomorrow Marge and I hope to go down and see Maria. We have no big news for her, Marge wants to wait for one more week before calling Alan. Nevertheless, it is time to check in with her and see how she fared during the rains. She may have news about her lot and the contractor who was going to look at our plans for an estimate. I have more candy for her to sell and John Sullivan sent her a $20 gift. John is feeling better since his visit to her room at Christmas. He surely was profoundly impressed by Maria. Still 115

thinking about her ability to survive under such drastic living conditions. I believe her Prayers for his health have been answered.

10 Feb

As we made our way south to Maria’s room, it was hard to believe that one week ago the rains were punishing everyone on both sides of the border. Tijuana suffers much more due to the lack of any amount of infrastructure. Thankfully, Maria lives in a flat area with storm drains. Our friends in Mariano are all becoming sailors. I know the greeting by heart, “Que milagro, David, Magie, vino? “ It is no miracle, we missed you, and yes, Magie came. “ It has been a long time since you visited me.” I know, 17 days! When alone for so much of the time Maria becomes sad. Fortunately, she has a friend, Josefina, who visits her regularly. Josefina’s son and Manuel go to school together.

Maria still has no information about her lot. She keeps going to the gov. office and they keep giving her no advice and no help. We desperately need someone with the know-how to help her. The dentists and priests are no help at all. Now Maria wants to put it in the toilet in her room. This is another move in assuring the gov. that she is serious about purchasing the land. It will be expensive but she is determined. Thank God for our friends who have helped her realize better-living conditions. The toilet will be out side in the rear of her room.

Maria asked about Karina and her injured leg. I told her that after Karina has her new brace the three of us are going to lunch at Karina’s. It is her payment for all that Marge and I did to get her that appointment. Maria loves to get out and meet people. She still does not like Mariano. If we did not have our friends there. I would not be dragged to the place. It does have its attraction though, due to the explosive expansion taking place in that valley. Hugh 116

assembly plants have been built in the area and hundreds of small family businesses are sprouting up all over this valley. Thousands of people not only live in El Florido but work there also. The plant owners usually build roads nearby to furnish better access to the worksite. Samsung and Hitashi are two examples of this.

Next week uncle John is coming to visit us and he wants to visit you. Do you remember him, the one who bought the chairs? Magie will call you the night before we come down. Ok? “Oh yes, ha also has given me many gifts of money. I will be happy to meet him and I will paint my face and look pretty.” You always look pretty to Magie and me.” No, today I am just a dirty, ugly Indian. “ We argued with her and refused to let her demean herself. We must let her know ahead of time so she can prepare things; a very proud lady, indeed. Before we left I took some pictures of Maria at her entrance. I explained that we need photos to go along with the letter when we ask for money for her house. She understood.

We hugged and kissed her goodbye and as we drove off, she stood in her doorway and threw kisses.

When we were composing the letter that will be sent out for donations for Maria’s house, the number of children who went up to Shriners for treatment came up. How many were there?

Nine or ten. We came up with the number ten. Who are these kids?

Rosa Karina - the first with her crippled leg

Our neighbor’s grandson-born without one hand.

Luis Enrique- born with a twisted foot

Maria de la Luz, Lucy-spina bifida

Oscar Levanat- foot problems

Reynaldo- a broken leg that was not set right

Nancy Moreno- minor foot problems

David Moreno- a broken leg not set right

Jacqueline- foot problems

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Sergio Estrada- born with one leg shorter than the other

Karina has a March 5 appointment. Shriners will remove the cast and they feel that she will not need another operation. Then she can begin the brace fittings with Alan Pryor.

Luis Enrique will have a three-year appointment on 11 May. Shriners wants to check him again before he becomes 18.

Marge called Alan today, 17 Feb. If he does not call by Friday, Marge is to call him. The braces will be finished very soon. It will be 10 months on February 25.

Jim talked with Dr. Alex del Campo today. He wants Maria to call him and he will help her with the land problems. He has connections in Tijuana; we need this type of help.

Christina, Mario, and Lulu are supposed to come this weekend for dinner and the night. With more rain coming, it will be very hard for them to get out of Mariano. The Carter community people are ok but the roads are an impassable sea of mud and water. If anyone can make the trip. Mario will.

We hoped that John would get to meet Maria. They are busy so it doesn’t look promising. I will have to get down to see her soon so she can call Alex del Campo. We had written the dentists off several months ago. Too soon perhaps. Yesterday, Jim gave each dentist a copy of our finished letter. We keep trying. We definitely need help with the pictorial brochure. This will go with the letter.

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