He walked in with his mom one late December morning for immunizations. He needed four shots to be able to register at our neighboring high school.

He was given the shots, his mom paid the fee, and they walked out into the waiting room.

A few minutes later the nurse, Michele, noticed that they were still out in the waiting room- his head resting on his mother’s lap. Michele brought them back in to ask a few questions for he looked pale, and as she did so the boy fainted. Emily, the secretary, ran to the medical examiner’s room for the vital machine as Michele forced some juice onto the semi-conscious boy who kept repeating he wasn’t thirsty.

His mom stood by him as both Michele and Emily asked questions about the boy’s health. She said it must have been the shock of so many shots- he was scared of needles, but after further prodding she admitted that he hadn’t had any breakfast then reluctantly told her situation.

They had just moved to El Paso from Mexico and she was searching for a job. The young man, Christian, had been born in the US and even attended school here, but after the second grade his family moved back to Mexico. There, he did not attend school because he had been told he had a learning disability and since schooling is not mandatory he stayed home. The family grew and when he was about fourteen years old his father left the family- leaving Christian and two younger siblings at the care of their mother.

That is when she brought her children back to El Paso. "At least in school the children would receive a free breakfast and lunch", she said. Fortunately she had no trouble enrolling the two little ones in elementary school, but Christian was not so easily admitted. He was behind on immunizations for one, and before placing him in a grade the district needed to test him. With no transportation, not even money for the public bus, they walked back and forth between the school and their home.

That cold morning they had already walked at least six miles between the elementary school to leave the little ones, to the high school, back home, then the clinic.

The staff made them a small goodie back to take; sweet bread, water, and juice. The security guard from the high school found a jacket for Christian to use and offered them a ride home.

For Christmas the clinic staff and the high school adopted the family.

Their living conditions are far from the best but they are a strong family. When Christian learned that only he was eligible to receive food stamps he said, "Esta bien, del mismo plato comemos todos"- we will all eat from the same plate.

In the few months passed Christian has visited the clinic for more immunizations and a cold. He continues to attend school and his mom continues to search for a steady job. But he told Michele he feels safe here- in the clinic and in the high school.