Adelina Zepeda
Phoenix, AZ

I am nominating Adelina Zepeda, a brave chick who I met when she was just a teenager. Since then, she has grown into an amazing woman and mother, despite many obstacles that have been placed in her way. Adelina lost her sight as a child, and was later placed in group homes and foster families. As a young adult, she fell in love with a man who was also blind and moved across the country to be with him. They are now married and have two beautiful children.

When their first child Rivaldo was born, the state tried to take him away because it was felt that two blind people could not take care of him. Adelina & her husband Marco fought hard to keep their baby, and became local celebrities in their Californian town. A few months later a reporter revisited them and wrote in awe as to how Adelina cared for Rivaldo.

Rivaldo is now four and he has a baby sister Sayuri who is just a few months old. The family has moved to Arizona, and after Adelina recently visited Delaware with the baby, Sayuri was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. She had malignant tumors in both her eyes. This was the same disease that caused her father to lose his eyes when he was two years old.

Adelina and Sayuri now fly once a month to Los Angeles, where the retinoblastoma specialist practices, for chemotherapy. Marco & Rivaldo follow on a bus and the family stays at the Ronald McDonald house while Sayuri undergoes her treatment. Neither Marco or Adelina have family available to provide support or assistance, and although she at times has felt overwhelmed, Adelina soldiers on.

When I tell people about my friend Adelina they immediately ask how she takes care of her children. She just does, and after spending time with the family it seems like a silly question. Adelina is independent, but she also seeks out advice from others and is a quick learner. For every question there is an answer (like putting bells on the toddler's shoes so she can keep track of his whereabouts.) When she talks about challenges that she faces, she does so matter-of-factly and with an attitude that a solution will be found. I have never found her to feel sorry for herself, she has no use for pity. I feel very lucky to know her and to have her for my friend.