Talon+

David describes himself as “a very enthusiastic kid”. He loves sports and has a knack for athletics. David especially loved basketball and at his young age, he dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player. 

David recounts his experience saying “one day I was fine the next I was nearly blind with complete vision loss in one of my eyes and 80% vision loss in the other.'' 

He had suffered a severe stroke at the age of 13 and had gone blind and had even lost the ability to speak. He describes this as feeling “subdued” and “frustrating” and even saw it as an incident which stripped him of his identity. 

He could no longer do what he loved and he was confined to the sedentary existence of a hospital bed. It was a rather slow and arduous recovery. David had to relearn English and was kept out of class for months but still, he kept a positive attitude about the whole thing even amidst his ongoing identity crisis. 

Once he had mostly recovered, David went back to school only to find himself “restricted to Special Ed classes” this made him feel alienated from the rest of his peers like he was taken out of the game and put on the bench for an undisclosed amount of time. This feeling only grew larger because while recovering and reintegrating into school, David had started being bullied. Not only for the way he looked but also due to the fact that he was in Special Ed classes. David was consistently met with resistance when he tried to join other kids for basketball games. “Go away lazy eye” they roared in a condescending tone. 

For David, this was middle school. A time of missing identity, loneliness, and frustration.

Eventually, the bullying stopped and David grew less and less frustrated. He was still in Special Ed classes and had just sort of accepted that as his fate. One day, however,  his teacher approached him about exiting remedial classes and David agreed. 

“I was told no a lot of the time and people always believed that I couldn’t do stuff,” He said. David was initially nervous about it but still persevered. 

He got into photography and discovered a more creative side of himself that he never knew about, and he loved that. Showing his more creative side was not the only thing David was involved in at this stage of his life. He was also apart of a nonprofit organization called the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado (EFCO).  

This organization specializes in giving kids with epilepsy a space to really be who they are while introducing them to others like themselves. David first went to the EFCO as a camper shortly after his surgery. “I thought I was the only one in the world living with epilepsy and then I went to this camp and everyone around me had it and I felt like I wasn’t so alone in the world anymore,” He fondly said, remembering his time at the camp. 

David went back as a camper for a few more years until he aged out and became a camp counselor. As a camp counselor at the EFCO, he sought out to mentor the campers. He could empathize with them on a deeper emotional level because he had actually been in their shoes before. As a result, he provided a lot of support and became a role model for many young campers.

 David cites the EFCO as an important time of growth in his life. “It’s how I regained my identity… through public speaking at EFCO fundraisers with crowds of 600 to 800 people I was able to help others and heal my lost identity,” he said. 

 David has been going to CCD since 2011 and has loved every second of it. Despite all of the roadblocks that were placed in front of him, he maintains a level of infectious optimism that I for one admire. 

I know others who, given the same circumstances would have responded with anger and frustration and would have remained in a pessimistic state. It is easy to respond to a life-changing event with negative emotions, it is much more difficult to reach a place of acceptance and compassion. David is proof of that compassion. It is easy to live like you’re the center of the universe, especially in our individualistic cultural climate but this way of living stifles our growth both as a culture and as individuals. Reaching a place of understanding with others is work, but positive work worth doing. 

We’re all stumbling through a vast network of people all figuring out what to do, where to go, and how to do it. Amidst all that chaos, we sometimes forget some details and distort our perceptions. We do not consider or empathize with strangers as much as we should and when faced with a difficult obstacle like David, we tend to think of ourselves and perpetuate our apathetic behavior rather than accept that we are fallible and move forward in a healthy way. 

Behavior is learned but it is also chosen we choose how to act by choosing apathy over empathy we feed the never-ending cycle of anger, hate, and toxicity. By breaking this cycle we are called back to reality, realizing that everyone has a story that deserves to be told. 

John Koenig sums up this concept in more concise terms.Sonder: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own – populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, and inherited craziness – an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk. – The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, John Koenig

I don’t view myself as a very athletic person. I don’t see exercise as very exciting; I don’t focus on my diet; I don’t hit the gym with my friends to gain muscle. I do, however, think of myself as a person who loves being outdoors and someone who can be very passionate about things out of nowhere. One such thing would be mountain biking. 

I came to Denver a little over 2 years ago for school. I wanted to start a new life after high school. This past January, my parents followed me west. They had been moving around our native New jersey for a little over a year and finally relocated to Colorado, a dream come true. My dad has always been athletic, from lacrosse in college, to running and mountain biking, as well as CrossFit to stay active. He exercises 5 days a week. My stepmom has always been a runner, boasting races that crossed multiple state lines in a week. I have never been much more than a kid who went to school, hung out with my buddies, and liked video games. 

Colorado changed something in me though. When I came out west, I was immediately in awe of the beautiful mountains the state so proudly boasts. I’ve been snowboarding for over a decade. However, snowboarding in Colorado for the first time made me want to be better at it, and conquer these mountains for all they’re worth. I started to spend more time outdoors, and it taught me some wonderful things. 

The best thing that I’ve gotten from my outdoor adventures is a better relationship with my father, through mountain biking. It wouldn’t have happened without the culture and opportunities that Colorado and the Rockies have to offer. My dad has been mountain biking for over 30 years now, and he’s seen cutting edge technology come and go for many reasons. He’s always been a very hands-on person, and mechanic work is in his blood. He’s always taking things apart to see how they work, just to rebuild them. This was something I had always envied in him. He was always my go-to for mechanical questions when I just couldn’t figure things out.

Because of mountain biking, I’ve found a love for bike repair. Over time, I have come to know many things about bike repair and diagnostics. The main reason why I came to appreciate this skill so much is because it gives me more reasons to spend time with my dad. In our basement bike shop, we’ve spent hours working on our rigs, preparing them for our next battle with the Colorful Colorado trails. We found something we have in common, that’s not just a hobby but a passion, and we developed a strong bond over it. My dad had a similar relationship with his dad when he was younger. They would work on cars at the gas station that my grandfather owned before his passing. This connection lead my dad to own a car repair shop and got him started as a mechanic early in his life. 

I feel a very special connection when I work on a bike with my dad. He shares his knowledge and experience in the same way his dad did with him. He enjoys being able to teach me and I love being able to learn from him. These moments in our basement bike shop are moments I would not have without moving to Colorado, and I couldn't be more thankful for what I’ve gained since moving here.

With my dad, I’ve traveled the state and a bit into bordering ones in search of thrill, making out bond even stronger. There are always injuries expected and a day isn’t done unless we’ve fully pushed our body beyond belief, but every ride is followed with smiles and good memories. I’ve learned a lot about control while going over 20 miles per hour over rock gardens on a steep and narrow trail with switchbacks lurking everywhere. I’ve watched my dad sent himself off of things that I wouldn’t want to do even if I knew it was safe. I’ve seen him take mean falls that put him out for a few days. Through all of the emotional onslaught that mountain biking brings, I can always count on him to cheer me on.

Although we have had many hardships in our family and he’s had to make some giant sacrifices for me, when we’re on the trail none of that exists. The past isn’t something on our minds; if it was, we’d fly off a trail and into a valley. The only thing we have time to think about is ripping, and rip we do. 

Neither of us is in any way competition ranked or really even capable of placing on a podium for a local race. But, the feeling we get on the trails make us believe we are. I’ve never really been much of an athlete, but I can recognize when a little bit of a workout is worth the memories that are associated with it. 

I’m not lazy enough to pass on spending time with my dad and create new adventures. Especially knowing we might not have much longer, as we might end up moving again or my dad might just not have the time. 

Experiences like the ones I’ve had on the mountains are the reasons why I love this state and that I’m happy that my life has brought me here.

My heart was beating so fast. I could not believe I was standing in front of my favorite artwork, “The Starry Night” 1989, Vincent Van Gogh. 

One goal I had as a teen was going to New York City and explore the city. When I turned twenty-one, I made a lot of changes in my life, like being active and working out, being healthy and caring for myself. One of the biggest changes I made was cutting my hair. All through high school, I let my hair grow and it was down to my knee, little by little throughout the years I would trim it. In the summer of 2018 however, I cut it down mid-back. I felt like a new person. A powerful woman that could do anything, and following my dream of going to New York was on top of my list. Therefore I booked my ticket for August. 

As the day got closer, I was both excited and nervous to fly out to a new place. My close friends that have been there would scare me saying it was dangerous and I should pay attention to everything I was doing. I know they meant it as a reminder, and I always try to be careful and safe. 

I like traveling and small details that come with it; following directions at airports, drinking coffee before my flight, and of course getting lost and confused. However, getting to my gate was smooth and surprisingly I was not sitting by annoying people. Throughout my flight I slept and woke up within fifteen minutes of arriving. Once at the J. F. K. Terminal, I felt lost. The first thing to do was to get my MetroCard reloaded. I had one because my brother gave me his. I put money in the card and managed to get myself where the subway is at. I did not mind waiting for the train to arrive because I was trying to focus on what was going on and getting on the right line. When my train arrived, it was exactly the way I expected it to be: crowded.

 I do not remember the stop where I got off, but it was seven in the morning a rainy Thursday. The city was still quiet and small business were getting ready to open. I looked for my hotel and hurry to check-in. I stayed 5 minutes from Times Square, which I thought was a good deal for the nights I would spend there. 

Later that morning, I explored Central Park and was in awe of the beautiful scenery. When all the walking made me hungry, I decided to browse around for something good to eat. I settled on breakfast near a fountain, where a yoga class ran its course. At this time in the day, there was a lot of things happening. I heard sirens, people chatting, cars honking, birds chirping. I took the moment in. 

My next stop was the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It felt surreal seeing all the Art I’ve seen in many art books and talked about in classes. Having them right in front of me was amazing. The colors are vibrant, and the sizes of some of the artworks surprise me. I had no idea how large or small, in some cases, they really were. I began to analyze and meditate on how the artists felt while making the pieces of art, the struggles of being misunderstood during a specific art movement, and the frustrations and statements the,y as artists, wanted the public to see. 

After being in the art museum I headed back to the hotel. During my quite long walk,  I marked interesting places to check out during the night. Back in my room, I took a nap then, shower and headed out for some late-night exploring. 

I walked down Fifth Avenue and saw the Flatiron Building. After checking out a few other places, I decided to head back to the hotel as it was getting late. Not up for the walk, I hopped on a train. 

The next morning, the first thing I heard was cars honking and ambulances. My first stop of the day was the World’s Trade Center, then walk down Broadway and Fulton street. I did some shopping here and there and ended up walking to Brooklyn’s Bridge and taking the subway back. 

I got off from the train and without knowing a direction I kept walking. I stumble across a pink wall that capture my sight and for my luck, it was a juice and coffee shop called “Joe and the Juice”.  I thought it looked aesthetic and went in. The day was hot, and my hands were tired from carrying heavy bags most of the morning. “Joe and the Juice” was just what I needed to take a break. They made the best juice I ever had.

Being in a big city made me feel concern for myself. I was having fun and making mistakes of getting lost, not knowing what was going on. This adventure gave me a lot to think about, concerning my life. As I started to walk to the hotel, I noticed the different styles and colors and felt like I belonged. 

My last day in New York I felt nostalgic. I decided on one last adventure before heading to the airport. Wearing 3-inch platform heels,  and did not consider it a bad idea at the moment, I head to see my ultimate favorite fashion designer store. 

After about 4 hours of walking, my legs were non-existing. Heading back to the hotel to gather my belongings for the trip back home, I really start to regret my shoe decision.

 Transportation to the airport was not heavy and got there with plenty of time. Waiting for my flight to depart, I felt like my heart was breaking. I fall in love with places a lot more than I do anything else. I did not want to go back home. 

Bright and determined Reydesel Salvidrez was on the point of despair eight years ago when he realized he couldn’t continue his studies or go to college being an undocumented student.

Rey, as his friends call him, came to the United States from Chihuahua, Mexico with his parents and siblings at the age of ten in the early 2000’s. 

After graduating from Denver East High School in 2011, he wanted to study criminal justice at the Metropolitan State University (MSU) Denver, but he was not eligible for in-state tuition, and his family could not afford to pay the full tuition. At the time, his father was a construction foreman, and his mother was a housekeeping manager. Eventually, Rey was forced to drop out and work alongside his father. He was deeply depressed about giving up his dream of getting an education.

Distressed, he thought of ending his life. Rey was only 19. But, the thoughts of the consequences it would have on his younger siblings, two brothers Luis, 16,  and Rafael, 11, and sister Jennifer, 9, altered his momentary negative decision and gave him strength. At that moment, his new purpose was to always be there for them. 

Not ready to call it quits yet, Rey and his mother decided to talk to the guidance counselor at Denver East High School about his options. He essentially just shrugged his shoulders because, for undocumented students wishing to attend college, options were very limited. 

Extremely sad, but determined not to give up, Rey kept himself busy helping his father at his construction job. Until 2012, when vision changed after the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program was announced, giving him the right to live and work in the United State. However, by that time, Rey was no longer set on becoming a detective. He decided to pursue a career that would allow him to help other students never feel trapped the way he did.  

When President Obama announced the DACA program Rey was able to apply for his paperwork. It took him almost six months to get organized.

DACA protects undocumented people from deportation and allows them to work in the United States. Because this new program, Rey was able to obtain a driver’s license and an employment authorization card, renewable every two years. 

When he had all his papers in order, Rey decided to talk to an advisor at MSU. He was advised to start at the Community College of Denver (CCD), then transfer to MSU, as it would be more affordable. 

 According to Rey, attending the Community College of Denver in the fall of 2012 was the biggest blessing he could have asked for. It was hard in the beginning because undocumented students have to pay out of state tuition, But, with low tuition and scholarships, he managed to step into his education dream.

                   Rey recalled that he didn’t have an answer as a child when people asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. His initial dream was to become a police officer or a detective – but even back then, he knew his immigration status meant that this dream would most likely be impossible to reach. 

“I had been brought to Denver from Mexico by my parents and in those days undocumented immigrants couldn’t even get Colorado driver’s licenses, leave alone jobs in law enforcement.”

While Rey was working hard to excel in school and stay on top of his tuition payments,  in 2013 a new Colorado law made it possible for him to qualify for in-state tuition. The bill is known as the Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) bill. This lightened Rey’s financial burden and allowed him to complete his program at the Community College of Denver and eventually transfer to the University of Colorado Denver.

Rey who grew up in a mixed-status family said the support system he received at CCD helped him build his confidence made him feel less isolated.

“One of the things I love about CCD is the community atmosphere and the feeling of family they gave me. They believed in me. I never had that kind of support growing up,” said Rey.“Being in that atmosphere and surrounded by people who believed in me gave me hope. I started enjoying being in CCD and not doubting myself.” 

        Another great thing at CCD which further boosted his success story is the Urban Male Initiative (UMI)  program, which gave him a mentor to support him up to his graduation. Rey is full of praise for the UMI program at CCD. This program helped him immensely. It assisted him to recognize unique challenges through mentoring and connected him with valuable resources teaching him networking skills. It was his foundation for leadership development. He began to step out of the shadows. felt safe to share his story. He finally felt free and relieved as CCD opened many doors for him. 

Rey also co-founded the Dreamers United at CCD a student organization to support undocumented students along with few other students in similar conditions as him. The organization has seen a huge success in CCD.

 “I want to give back. I want to learn the history of indigenous people so I can help them too,” Rey said. For him, it felt great to inspire other students, both immigrants, and American-born, and show them that they can go to college and achieve whatever they want.

After a while, United Leaders in Higher Education (ULHE) became the new name for “Dreamers United”. Rey explained that the term Dreamers United was no longer used because it did not represent the immigrant youth appropriately. “We changed this to leaders as that who we are. We are committed to redefining higher education here in our home state of Colorado,” he said.

     ULHE is committed to educate, unite and empower students. It strives to support student leaders across campuses to create attainable pathways beyond higher education. The three focal points of this organization are: raising funds, networking, and terminology to empower immigrant youth and make college more accessible to them, as immigrant youth face some of the toughest paths in higher education.

Rey graduated from the University of Colorado Denver earlier this year with a degree in communications and ethnic studies. He is currently the vice-president of United Leaders in Higher Education (ULHE). 

Although he holds a new diploma, his future is anything but certain. He is deeply worried that President Trump’s decision to end DACA will throw his life into chaos all over again and he may run the risk of being deported. He prays and hopes that Congress would vote “yes” on the Dream and Promise Act, which would give Dreamers a chance to stay in the country they love.

For Rey, the next goal is to earn a master’s degree in education and work as a school counselor helping underserved students. He positively believes the state of Colorado needs passionate educators like him and that there is a huge demand for teacher jobs that remain unfilled in the state.

Now with many awards under his belt including the CCD President Service Award which he received as a student leader, Rey is determined to help steer other undocumented students to progress. 

Working in higher education and working with students is Rey’s passion and main focus. “I know the importance of giving students good role models and a dose of encouragement because that’s what I desperately needed when I was younger,” said Rey.

 While Rey’s short term goal is to work in the education field, his long term goal is to be involved in politics and even run for mayor in Denver, one day. He knows that the changes he wants to see will only happen with hard work from state and community leaders, and he believes joining the group of people making all the decisions will bring him many steps closer to achieving all his goals.