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Claudia Medina

Claudia Colón de Medina was a Puerto Rican woman born circa 1969 and the widow of Miguel Francisco Medina Torres. They were the parents of Francisco Ángel “Cisco” Medina Colón and Sofia Alexandra Medina Colón. After Miguel’s death, Claudia raised both children in Puerto Rico before moving to New York with Sofia in the early 2010s.

Early Life and Family

Claudia was born in Puerto Rico circa 1969. She and Miguel had their first child, Cisco, circa 1989–1990 and their daughter, Sofia, on December 22, 2000.

Sofia was born with Down syndrome. Her early prognosis was poor, and she did not receive adequate access to the disability and educational services she needed while the family remained in Puerto Rico.

Death of Miguel Medina

Miguel was killed in gang- and drug-related violence circa 2005–2006. Claudia was approximately thirty-six or thirty-seven, Cisco was sixteen, and Sofia was five or six. Claudia continued raising both children after his death.

Migration to New York

Cisco left Puerto Rico at twenty-one, circa 2010–2011, and established himself in New York City. Claudia and Sofia followed circa 2012–2014, when Sofia was entering her early teens.

The move gave Sofia access to speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education, and communication supports that had not been adequately available to her in Puerto Rico. Claudia and Sofia later lived in the New York City area near Cisco.

Cultural Identity and Communication

Claudia was Puerto Rican, and Spanish was her native language. Her family’s move to New York did not change that ethnic or linguistic identity.

Family and Core Relationships

Miguel Francisco Medina Torres

Miguel was Claudia’s husband and the father of Cisco and Sofia. His death left Claudia as the children’s sole surviving parent.

Francisco Medina

Cisco was Claudia’s older child. After moving to New York as a young adult, he built enough stability for Claudia and Sofia to join him.

Sofia Medina

Claudia remained closely involved in Sofia’s daily support. By Sofia’s mid-thirties, Claudia managed medications, appointments, CPAP use, monitoring equipment, and the supplies Sofia needed when staying away from home.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters Latinx Characters Puerto Rican Characters