Arturo's Story

As emotionally taxing as this week was, this is why I came.

Arturo's home is one of the more interesting. On a wall like any other on a Cusco street, a door opens to a dirt pathway. On the left there's a door to Arturo's home. This consists of 3 beds where Arturo, his mother and grandmother sleep. It's the "girls' room." (The boys stay in a room with his uncle, who will not consent to Arturo staying in the same room.) Arturo's home was badly damaged by the flooding in February. Another adobe room of their house was demolished by the flooding.

Arturo's mom works in a "nearby" village called Urubamba. It is approximately 45 minutes outside of Cusco by bus. She is gone from 5am- 7pm most days. Arturo is left to the care of his sister, brother, or whoever is around. Most days they wake him for school, but he is left to his own devices to return. He has gotten into a few fights with random boys on the street, although Arturo thinks this is playing. His father left the family and moved to Lima when Arturo was young. Previously, his mother had lived in Argentina and sent money to a sister to care for Arturo. This caretaker kept him clean, fed, and out of harm's way. Now that his mom is back, he is not bathed, clothed, or fed quite as much.

Arturo is the most loving child I've ever known. He also has the most potential of a student with classic autism that I've worked with. His mother, however, does not see this. In fact, when asked about Arturo's future she supposed that he would die early, since he has autism. His little brother also thought that autism causes a short life span.

We told Arturo's mom about his potential-- to work, and make money to provide for the family. Marianela even made a bet that he would get work before his brothers and sisters would. Especially due to the tax exempt status of employees with special needs. We spoke with his siblings about what autism is, and why sometimes Mom has to give more attention to their brother. Marianela also invited them to come to her classroom and see what it means to have special needs. Good call, Nela.

I was worried walking into this home that I would have a poor disposition towards Arturo's mom. Last year during my work at San Martin, Arturo came to school with the soles of his feet burnt. His mother had burnt them so that he could not go wander the street. However, after hearing he loss of hope for him, and her skewed definition of autism-- I was able to see her point of view as more culturally relevant to what she had learned.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to explain some of Arturo's conduct disorders that has occurred over the last year. He has become aggressive, and sometimes fidgeting. When she told me their home story, I let her know that this could be due to his hormones changing, and the fact that he is on the street for most of the days, encountering 'dangerous youths.' I also explained the changes that have come, and will keep coming with puberty. I even told her some of Dr. Ayers' stories to give her peace of mind.

Part of Arturo's "house"

Another room to Arturo's "house" that was destroyed by the February flooding.