Henriquetta

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Please meet Henriquetta. She has been in the Los Martincitos program for more than four years. She lives close to the Oscar Romero Center ,where Los Martincitos is based. When Adopt-a-Grandparent first made contact with Henriquetta four years ago, she was not doing very well. Around that time, she was diagnosed with AIDS, which she acquired from using drugs with her son. Her son was, and maybe still is, an addict. Henriquetta was one of our first at-home visits in 2001, and we were told not to expect to see her the following year.

 

When we returned in 2002 for a visit, Henriquetta was doing much better. Her color had improved, her disposition was even more friendly and sweeter than before, and she was always smiling. Henriquetta and Adopt-a-Grandparent founder Pamela Jay-Paralikis are now the best of best friends.

 

No one harbors any illusions; Henriquetta has good days and bad. Her health will never be a sure thing. However, Adopt-a-Grandparent and Los Martincitos have given her new life in several ways: her medical care is in much better hands now, and Henriquetta now has a place to go outside her home where she is a valued participant and where she can focus on living.