An Interview with Augustina Lorenzo
By: Eddie Tebbe
Augustina Lorenzo is a woman of great spirit. With a great smile and excitement, she sat down with me to do this interview.
Cuban born, Augustina came to New Orleans when she was twelve years old. Neither in Cuba nor the United States did she get the opportunity of education because she happens to have cerebral palsy. Since her speech takes time and patience to understand, others decided what was best for her. Augustina stated "This is way back when we didn’t have the power, but I have a larger challenge in mind."
Augustina focuses now on trying to improve systems. Systems ignored her as a youth. The systems are better now, but far from where they need to be. "I would like people with disabilities to have more freedom than we have now."
Augustina is in the process of becoming a member of the DD Council and is on The Advocacy Center and People First of Louisiana boards.
Until she gets the New Opportunity Waiver, which she has been waiting on for eleven years, living at home is her only option. "I have my own way and I don’t want to share an apartment," she clearly said. "We need more waiver slots!"
Through a life of adversity, Augustina has an optimistic outlook. Very serious about her desires to make things better she is not negative. She continuously smiled and laughed during the entire interview.
Eddie Tebbe can be contacted at 504-888-9111, 800-76-7736 (toll free) or email at etebbe@fhfgno.org.
