Ines' Story

Ines came to the United States from Guatemala seeking a better future for her family.  Within a year, she learned she was expecting a child.  However, her joy was shadowed by uncertainty – her husband had just returned to Guatemala to deal with family business and it was unknown when he would be back.  She found herself alone, pregnant and uninsured.  She earned her income as a housekeeper and learned about Venice Family Clinic through her employer.  At the Clinic, Ines received prenatal care and eventually gave birth to healthy twin girls.

What’s more, the Clinic provided her with other resources which helped her raise her family until her husband returned two years later.  Ines took responsibility not only of her family’s but of her own health.  Twelve years after her first visit – a month before her 40th birthday – Ines came made an appointment for her first mammogram.  She chose the Mobile Mammogram program because it was closer and more convenient than her other options.  When the program coordinator asked her if she was nervous, Ines only shrugged saying “it is just one more thing I have to do to make sure I stay healthy.”