Supporting Latino families: The power of relationships

Cecilia and Sara Navigating a child’s medical journey can be difficult on any parent. But for a mother or father not familiar with the U.S. healthcare system or whose first language isn’t English, the journey is much more complex. Just ask one of the attendees at Fuente de Luz (“Fountain of Light”), the monthly informational group for Spanish-speaking families at Boston Children’s Hospital. On the first Tuesday of every month, around eight to ten Latino mothers — and occasionally fathers — get together to share their experiences and receive support from each other. There are hands to pass tissues and hold onto others; una familia formed from shared experiences. Educating and empowering parents Knowing first-hand that foreign-born parents have to work harder to understand the U.S. health care system, program coordinator Cecilia Matos and parent Sara Diaz — both originally from Latin America — came up with the idea to host a monthly group for Spanish-speaking families. “When a parent knows how to navigate the system, the child benefits,” says Sara, whose 22-year old son, Nicolas, has Down syndrome and has been cared for at Boston Children’s for 18 years. “The key is to educate and empower parents so they can advocate for their kids.” With funding from Milagros para Niños, Fuente de Luz began meeting at the Hale Family Center for Families in June of 2016. A thoughtful agenda Cecilia, Sara and Esterlina Macinnes, Boston Children’s Family Partn...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Parenting Source Type: news