How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have one cute little curly red haired 2 year-old daughter named Nicole. We have been in Westport almost two years.
What has been the most difficult age with your child to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time? The first months after birth were very challenging for me due to the sleep deprivation, and brain fatigue caused by my brain tumor removal. It took a lot of adjusting and support to adapt to the new routine, making sure I got the right amount of rest in-between feeds. But I’m sure the real sleepless nights will be in her teenage years.
What are you most excited about in life right now? Last fall, I published my first book! It’s titled: “8 – Rediscovering Life After a Brain Tumor”. Eight was the only number I could see after my brain surgery. Confused and faced with unexpected challenges, I refused to give up on the fight for her recovery, and now have published a book.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? That I am a brain tumor survivor, disabled, partially blind and I that had to learn how to read and write again when I was 35 years old.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? Going to the beach as a family and picking shells and pebbles.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? Spending time with family in Colombia. Nicole is so happy when she spends time with her grandparents! In addition, my husband loves to play golf with my father there (so mommy gets time off).
What is the best white lie you have told your child? Try this broccoli! It tastes just like ice cream! Just try it! At least one little bite!
What is your proudest mommy moment? Having my 2-year-old learn how to count from 1-10 in 3 three languages (French, Spanish and English).
What’s your can’t live without beauty product? Clinique BB cream with SPF and a foundation brush to apply it. I hate getting my fingers dirty.
What’s your favorite restaurant for a family dinner? A night out with friends? Favorite family restaurant is Bartaco, because who doesn’t need a Don Julio margarita at a family dinner!? FOr a night out with friends I have to say Le Pinguin; being French, this is not a surprise.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? I think I would still be a marketeer at a fortune 500 company like I used to be before becoming disabled.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do? I’d go to the city with my mom friends for brunch, followed by a full spa experience, them room service at a hotel in the City and relax all night. The next day I would definitely be prepared to come back again to be a SAHM.
What is your most marked characteristic? I have a smile stamped on my face. I smile all the time. And I guess here, in the USA, my Latin accent must stand out.
What do you most value in your friends? The friends I’ve made in Westport feel like family. They have been so supportive, generous, kind and welcoming. I value that they have opened their homes to me and made me feel like part of their family (they know who I’m taking about).
What is your greatest regret? Not going to the Olympics and representing my country in Sailing.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I never intended to be a writer nor publish a book. I had to do a lot of cognitive therapy for years after the surgery. It was very repetitive, and I decided to write a book as a form of cognitive therapy as this would force me to write, read, remember what I wrote and organize my thoughts. In the middle of this, I decided to make it a book in order for my daughter to be able to read one day about who her mom was before her brain tumor. Once I arrived there, I also thought maybe other people needed a story of strength and inspiration in their lives, and could benefit from my learnings. So I decided to publish the book.
