The Distance Between Us By Reyna Grande Rogriguez

The Distance Between Us is a compelling memoir describing Reyna Grande Rogriguez’s turbulent life while first living as an “orphan” in Mexico and her journey in “el otro lado” (the United States). Her experiences as a child, teen, and young adult help to shape who she becomes: A brilliant author. The story begins in Reyna’s birthplace of Iguala, Mexico. She is the youngest of three children, all born into poverty in Mexico. Her father, Natalio, left their family for the U.S. in search of a better life for his family and at this point in her story, their mother is leaving to help their father in pursuit of the same goal. Reyna, her older brother, and her older sister Mago are left in the care of their stern and cruel grandmother, who is already

She returns to Mexico after Natalio has remarried another woman, making her a bitter and jaded woman who has trouble connecting with the children she left so long ago. She also returns to Mexico with another child whom she had in the U.S. with Natalio. Reyna and her siblings are moved to their other grandmother’s (on their mother’s side), whom is even more impoverished than their other grandmother. Reyna and her siblings are happier living here despite the terrible conditions. Their mother leaves them, in the care of this grandmother, two more times. Once to Acapulco with her boyfriend and again to another town in Mexico which is closer to her

They could have used a public health department office for very inexpensive (sometimes free) medical treatment, evaluations, and immunizations. Luckily they did not contract any bad diseases, like measles, tetanus, pertussis, etc. they were put at great risk by being poor, their cramped and over populated living situation, poor diet, and lack of access to medical treatments. Vaccinations would have given them protection. The entire family could have obtained nutritional education on how to eat healthfully on a very limited budget. While not all public health clinics offer dental services, some do and this would have been very beneficial for this family. Renya had to illegally use her step-sister’s dental insurance to take care of an extraction. Good dental hygiene impacts all aspects of health and untreated infections can lead to systemic infections that cause numerous other complications, that end up being more costly than preventative care. Mental health visits and counseling for the children could have helped with coping with their new environment, a mother that left constantly, and the broken relationship with their alcoholic father. Alcohol cessation programs could have helped their father overcome his addiction. Drug and alcohol education starting at a young age could have helped Betty avoid getting into drugs. Safe sex and pregnancy