Christmas fund: disabled teacher builds lifelong bond with students

“It is very gratifying to be able to continue working with young people.”

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Paloma no longer works as a teacher due to her rheumatoid arthritis, but that doesn’t stop her from being there for her students.

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“I give them free private lessons,” he said. “I want to help them stay in school. There is even a former student of mine who is now studying to be a nurse. It is very gratifying to be able to continue working with young people. “

About five years ago, Paloma was waiting for the bus when a stray bullet struck her in the face. She still has no idea where it came from and has little recollection of the incident, it only arrived and was covered in blood. He needed plastic surgery. To this day, fragments of the bullet remain. About a year later, he was in class when he found himself struggling to lift an object. His hands and feet began to swell.

She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to walk, bathe, or dress alone for a time. After years of rehabilitation and making his home accessible, he is in better shape. Paloma can walk and is only cared for once or twice a week.

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“Doctors cannot say that it is conclusive that being shot resulted in rheumatoid arthritis later on, but I have trauma from the incident and there is a possibility that they are related,” Paloma said.

Although he can no longer work full time, he gives private lessons when he feels like doing so. She is also there as a sounding board for the students and lectures to children who feel lost and are considering dropping out of school. The effect it has had on her students is clear: they still come to her, even as adults, and help their teacher when she needs something.

“I need to get injections once a week,” Paloma said. “So sometimes my former students take me by car.”

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