That s what Ariel Rodriguez-Pena s mother, Miriam Pena-Osorio, used to tell him growing up
in Cuba.
Now, he s hoping the world hears that advice.
Rodriguez-Pena is raising $100,000 for his mother, who lives in Cuba, to have a brain tumor removed at University of Michigan hospital. That s on top of the $100,000 he s already raised himself part of applying for his mother s humanitarian parole, which required him to prove he can support her treatment. She has been bound to a wheelchair since the end of November, said Rodriguez-Pena, the principal at Lansing s Gardner International Magnet School. She can’t move her arms and legs, she can hardly talk. (She) can say only one or two words, but no more than that because her (facial muscles are impaired). We spoon feed her. She’s on a liquid diet.