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Sofia Medina

Sofia Alexandra Medina Colón (born December 22, 2000) was a Puerto Rican woman with Down syndrome who was born in Puerto Rico. She moved to New York with her mother, Claudia, during early adolescence and lived near her older brother, Cisco. Sofia used speech, gestures, signs, and an AAC tablet and received substantial daily support.

Early Life and Migration

Sofia was the daughter of Claudia Colón de Medina and Miguel Francisco Medina Torres. She was approximately ten years younger than Cisco. Miguel died in gang- and drug-related violence around 2005 or 2006.

Cisco left Puerto Rico around 2010 or 2011 and established himself in New York. Claudia and Sofia joined him around 2012–2014. Before the move, Sofia did not receive adequate access to the disability and educational services her family needed. In New York, she gained access to speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education, and communication support.

Health, Disability, and Communication

Main article: Down Syndrome Reference

Sofia had Down syndrome and substantial support needs. Her receptive language was stronger than her expressive language, so limited speech did not reliably indicate the extent of what she understood. She communicated in Spanish and English through a combination of speech, gestures, signs, and an AAC tablet.

Sofia also had epilepsy, obstructive sleep apnea treated with CPAP, hypothyroidism treated with daily medication, vision impairment requiring glasses, and mild progressive hearing loss. Fatigue could lower her seizure threshold.

Main article: Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Reference

Main article: Sleep Disorders Reference

Daily Life and Support

Sofia lived with Claudia in the New York City area near Cisco. Claudia managed medications, appointments, CPAP equipment, and other daily support. Sofia also visited and stayed with Cisco’s family at the Medina Carriage House.

Sofia expressed clear preferences and used humor and direct affection with people she trusted. She enjoyed bright colors, sparkly jewelry, music, and using her tablet.

Family and Core Relationships

Claudia Medina

Claudia was Sofia’s mother and primary daily-support person. She helped Sofia access services after their move and continued managing her health care and equipment.

Francisco Medina

Cisco was Sofia’s older brother. He helped Claudia and Sofia relocate to New York and remained closely involved in Sofia’s support network.

Charlie Rivera

Main article: Charlie Rivera and Sofia Medina

Sofia and Charlie Rivera developed a close chosen-family bond through shared interest in bright and sparkly objects, tablet use, humor, and direct affection.

Ezra Cruz

Main article: Ezra Cruz and Sofia Medina

Sofia connected with Ezra Cruz through music, jewelry, and straightforward affection. Ezra included her in musical and social interactions without treating her limited expressive language as a lack of understanding.

Logan Weston

Main article: Logan Weston and Sofia Medina

Logan Weston was part of Sofia’s chosen-family circle through Charlie and the wider group.

Memorable Quotes

“Mine!” (Source: Charlie Rivera and Sofia Medina; spoken when Sofia claimed Charlie as part of her chosen family.)

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