Despite the hidden experience of people with disabilities within the undocumented narrative, Pedro shares the amount of guidance he’s received to pursue his education. After failed attempts to find support for vision loss, Pedro encounters an eye doctor that helps him develop skills to live with his disability and learns that life is not over.
CLIP 2
While Pedro’s mother cooks dinner, she discusses with Pedro the complexities of being an immigrant in the U.S. Pedro’s mother highlights the loss of leaving a country and the opportunities available as an immigrant. Pedro challenges her perspective of the ‘grateful immigrant’ and reminds her that the U.S. government has not helped his experience, but rather individual people.
CLIP 3
With the support of his professor, Pedro receives a scholarship from the Mexican Consulate to continue with school. Pedro expresses appreciation to his parents and cries with overwhelming gratitude. His father asks that he extend support and a helping hand to others in need, just as he received. His mother reminds him that he is protected. Set and Pedro discuss the guilt and sense of unworthiness that may come from receiving support.
CLIP 4
Pedro’s grandmother passed away and he experienced a deep depression after her loss. Pedro turned to running and cycling as a support outlet to stay grounded, focused and to continue moving forward. Set and Pedro discuss the suffocating feeling that comes from being undocumented and thinking about their future. Even though Pedro has a degree and is licensed to practice social work, he cannot work and is stuck in limbo.
CLIP 5
Pedro spends time with a friend and speaks about the challenges that come with having a disability and being in a relationship. Pedro comes to understand that his blockage to be in a relationship is internal and part of his own demons and healing process. Pedro expresses that everyone is capable of having a healthy relationship, regardless of having a disability.
CLIP 6
A full circle moment comes for Pedro as he is now in a position where he can help others, just as others helped him. Pedro is reminded that his life has value and he is making a difference. In a classroom setting, Pedro teaches the power of resilience and optimism to heal from the trauma of being undocumented. Pedro takes pride and ownership of his responsibility to help others and continue the chain of support.
Sources
Authored by:
Héctor Trinidad Plascencia
As a social justice advocate, queer and transgender immigrant, Héctor Trinidad Plascencia (they/them, we/us) learned to use storytelling as a pathway towards interpersonal and political transformation. As Executive Director of Plascencia Consulting, Héctor Trinidad created the Social Justice Action model to guide change-makers towards collective liberation--fighting within, without and against systems of oppression and dominance. Héctor Trinidad applies the Social Justice Action model to advocate for transgender, queer and immigrant people from community to capitol.
