Vivian's Story

This afternoon I went to Vivian's house. Marianela arranged for me to visit the homes of three of the students with autism from San Martin.

The house itself told a story of their current life. Adobe walls, now being held up with beams (the house started to fall during the February flooding), matched the dirt floors. The house itself was merely an entrance, with a living room without a roof that held chickens, a sheep and guinea pigs. Vivian, her mother, and two sisters sleep, eat, bathe, and use the bathroom in one bedroom. There is a set of bunk beds and one other twin bed. Vivian refuses to sleep alone

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Vivian's mom sat down and told me their story. We all cried at one point or another. I cannot describe my admiration for her strength. I love that she attributes their survival to the Lord.

When Vivian's mother was pregnant, she was burned badly down her legs. She says that when she was burned, she was terrified, shrieking and throwing her arms up. In fact, this moment of terror seems to be mirrored in Vivian-- she often shrieks and throws her arms up in the same way. Her mother has long blamed that moment for Vivian's behavior issues.

When Vivian was 1, her father died in a car accident in the sacred valley.

Vivian was taken to every clinic, home, orphanage, hospital, and doctor that could find. One famous doctor in Lima said that it was her energy, not medical. Several other doctors assumed her to be deaf or have problems producing speech. Overall, no one had an answer.

Vivian's sister was then sent to Lima to live with her uncle, attend school, and live 'well.' She was raped by her uncle, and was sent home to Cusco to have his baby. Disgusted by her child, she became a ghost, refusing to care for the child. Vivian's mom took on the mother role.

Vivian's mom is the sole bread winner of the house. She washes clothing in their room for neighbors. She cannot sell in the markets, make crafts, sell chicha, or truly work. She has given up all social interactions, all outings, to take care of her child.

There are no therapies offered in Cusco for children with autism. The hope the family had long held was a private school opening in Cusco. They recruited Vivian, but did so more for a success story than for her betterment. They offered a scholarship, but retracted it shortly after.

We all cried as Vivian's mom expressed her fears for the future. A neighborhood girl, 12, with down syndrome was recently raped and made pregnant as well. Where will Vivi go if something happens to her mom? Besides her young sisters, who will understand her enough to love her?

I feel privileged to be a part of Vivian's story. I am hoping to be a light in their story through continued interaction and by bringing information to secure a future for Vivian.