Patient portrait: Diana Pineda

摘要

I briefly lived with my son's father right after my son was born. It was the worst month of my life. He would scream at me, telling me I was nothing. Less than a zero. That no one would ever want me. My son would wake up and cry, and finally I just picked him up, carried him outside and called 911. I ended up moving into a shelter. I never want to be in a situation like that again. I was terrified. It took me a few years, but I was able to get a day job while the shelter provided child care. I eventually saved up first and last month's rent to get my own place. My son is my whole world. I work during the days and look after him evenings and weekends. COVID-19 has been a major challenge because I'm not able to work if schools are closed. I was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Ten years ago, I lost my vision for a short while. After I had my son, half of my face was paralyzed for days.