Statement from the family of Taylor Patterson Crane 

Editors’ note: Taylor Patterson Crane, a teenage American on community service with Mexican children, died tragically in Pozos in late July. Atención received the following letter from his parents. 


The family of Taylor Patterson Crane, the 16-year-old American who died at the Cinco Señores mine in Pozos, would like to express their deep appreciation to the Mexican people, especially to residents of Pozos and San Miguel de Allende for their kindness and compassion in helping us through this difficult time. Since arriving here, we have been overwhelmed by the enormous community effort to recover our son’s body, and we have been deeply touched by countless Mexicans who shared our tears and eased our pain. We will always remember the many rescue workers who contributed to the recovery effort, especially those who risked their own lives to locate Taylor and bring peace to our family. In Mexico, we felt loved by a larger Mexican family.

Initial press reports left the impression that Taylor intentionally tried to jump over a mineshaft. However, both Mexican and American eyewitnesses stated that they believed that Taylor had no idea that an open shaft was in the immediate area. He lost his balance after jumping onto a short wall next to the hidden shaft, and jumped only in an effort to save his own life. Taylor did not die as a result of reckless teenage behavior. Many factors led to his death; his recklessness was not one.

Since arriving in Mexico to recover our son’s body, we have tried to understand the factors that caused Taylor’s death. We are keenly aware that tragedy such as this often serves as the impetus for change that protects others in the future. We have talked with many people: officials, both elected and appointed; witnesses of the accident; people familiar with the tourist attraction where Taylor died; and many people connected with the travel program that brought Taylor to Mexico—all this in an effort to understand what changes could protect others in the future. We are troubled by some of the things that we have been told: that change comes slowly in Mexico, that hands are tied, that there are complex cultural and legal roadblocks to eliminating overtly dangerous tourist areas. However, we are also encouraged by some things that we have been told: that the Mexican and American communities here are outraged that unmarked mineshafts exist at this well-known tourist destination, that this tragedy could possibly summon the will of the people to effect needed change.

Taylor was a well-traveled young man. He understood, as does his family, that Mexico is not the United States, that there are many cultural differences and that travelers have a duty to be aware of, and respect, such differences. However, those who host travelers have duties as well. The act of welcoming someone into one’s home brings with it the commonly understood responsibility of looking out for one’s guest—which is to say, if you know of some hazard that is unfamiliar to your guests—a short doorway where one might bump one’s head, a veranda that is slippery in the rain—common courtesy demands that such things be brought to their attention.

And so it is with tourism. Local people may know that there are open mineshafts around Pozos, but other Mexicans and North Americans would never expect such a condition to exist. The host has a duty to inform. Especially in areas advertised as tourist attractions, the duty to inform should be clear. It seems to us that Mexican officials should consider legislation that acknowledges the need to protect unsuspecting guests from known hazards, instituting minimum safety standards where tourists are encouraged to travel.

We can say from firsthand experience that the Mexican people are warm and wonderful, that they are filled with a sense of decency and compassion for others. It is our hope that Mexican officials can work to ensure that Mexican laws more fully embody the generous, considerate nature of its people, so that a tragedy like this never happens again.

Taylor Patterson Crane died on a mission to help the children of Mexico. We will be forever proud of our son and brother.

Christopher Crane, Susan Patterson and Colin Patterson Crane

Tribute to Lucha Maxwell , from Centro de Crecimiento on her 90th birthday
By Jesús Ibarra

Lucha Maxwell, founder of Centro de Crecimiento, was honored on Thursday, July 26 for her 90th birthday and for the 30th anniversary of the Centro, a rehabilitation center for handicapped children.

Maxwell was accompanied by her husband, her son Dr Roberto Maxwell, other members of her family, the therapists of the Centro and the children. Mayor Jesús Correa thanked Maxwell for her efforts to help disabled children.

“Happy birthday Lucha for your 90 years and thank you for your 30 years of lucha (fight),” said Correa who unveiled a commemorative plaque. Afterwards, the children gave Maxwell flowers and the Therapist Sisters, a musical group formed by three elderly ladies, sang for Maxwell the popular Mexican birthday song Las Mañanitas, accompanied by the children. 

“I am a physical therapist and when I got married, in 1955, my husband and I came to live in San Miguel,” said Maxwell. “I began to do therapeutic work but then I noticed that children with physical and mental problems often suffered discrimination, bad treatment and segregation. I had a wonderful mother who taught me to share. I began helping a blind seven-year-old girl who lived near the Caracol, whose mother, a single mother, left her alone at home taking care of her younger brothers, with just a pot with beans and some tortillas. I went to see her and I realized she indeed needed help. At that time, Debbie Kent, a woman who was born blind, was living here in San Miguel and she offered to help with this girl, named Betty Robles. She began to work with her. Betty is currently living in Mexico City, working as a secretary at the Association for the Blind. She is married and has a three-year old son. It is a pleasure for me to work at the Centro. We have a wonderful team of therapists who give all their help 
and love to children. We have several children from the rural communities. The objective of Centro de Crecimiento is to make our children completely independent and to be accepted by society.”

There was a round of applause. Maxwell thanked all those present, and also thanked Mayor Correa and his administration for their support and invited him to continue supporting the Centro.

Maxwell invites the San Miguel community to support Centro de Crecimiento with donations. “We need the help of people. Donations, tax deductible, can be made at the Centro, Zamora 18, Colonia Allende, telephone, 152 0318.”

Casa Hogar’s Quinceañera
By Alex Fritzner

Sunday found the Casa Hogar Don Bosco not in a day of rest but celebration. The girls, dressed in their best, raced around the tables set up in the courtyard and hallway fetching snacks, drinks and plates, while others made the finishing touches in the kitchen and those remaining greeted the guests and family members.

The reason for all this sat at the head of the table, dressed in a flowing, Cinderella-like pink dress. Nanci was making the passage into womanhood in keeping with the traction of quinceañera. While in the US sweet 16 is the important birthday, here for girls it is 15, when they leave la edad de las illusiones (the age of illusion) and begin their passage into womanhood. A custom attributed to the Spanish colonizers, this celebration transcends class and wealth boundaries and girls being honored on this birthday can be seen in all corners of Mexico and other Latin American countries.

However, Nanci probably wasn’t reflecting on the history of quinceañeras, especially not when her cake was brought in. This four-piece tower had everyone licking their lips, and a few sneaking a bit of the frosting. She may have, instead, been thinking towards the future. She plans to be a kindergarten teacher one day. Her patience with the guests certainly shows an aptitude for it. Celina, who dreams of being a violinist, watches the musicians closely. There are also aspiring veterinarians, lawyers, singers and one geologist..

Ranchero and cumbia music swooned in the background as conversation filled the table. Soon the plates with chicken and mole, rice and vegetables came, accompanied with an array of soft drinks in quantities impossible to consume. All the tables were now filled with girls, nuns, guests (all of whom are volunteers or benefactors) and (part of) Nanci’s family. Then a rush of excitement filled the girls closest to the main doors, even the Sisters couldn’t hide their eager smiles, the smiles of someone with a big secret they are trying to keep. The music was turned off. Nanci, who had been up and about, was hurried back to the table and as she sat down the first strings of the mariachi played. One after the other the group of mariachi entered the Casa Hogar decked out in the traditional black studded outfits and sombreros. All listened attentively, smiling, giggling and looking at Nanci to see if she was enjoying it too. The sparkle in her eyes gave her away. At the end of the song everyone clapped enthusiastically 
and requests for the next song were made.

On a day like that, when everyone seemed just happy it is easy to forget why these girls are there. Especially when one looks down the table to see Nanci flanked by family members on both sides of the table. Her mother didn’t come. After all, it was her mother’s abuse which made Nanci run away from home and later end up in the Casa Hogar. When asked about the scars on her arms, Milagros, 20, answered that she couldn’t remember were she got them from. Probably from my mother, or my sister, she responded looking away. Casa Hogar’s mission statement says it takes in those who have been subjected to “a lack of affection”; more clearly defined as girls who have been abused by one or both parents, who ran away from or were kicked out of their homes or otherwise suffered life in a dysfunctional family. On most days the girls go to school and then have tasks such as cooking and cleaning inside Casa Hogar, and outside activities with volunteer groups or the church. But, again, today is special.

Nanci is posing for photos next to her cake, the folds on her dress mirrored by the layered frosting. As Nanci leans towards the cake, someone gives her a gentle push and Nanci’s face falls into the cake, she comes up with frosting from nose to chin and a big smile. The laugher compliments the mariachi and everything seems to be just as it should. The girls forget the troubles of their pasts and simply enjoy the present. One can’t help but feel that in that moment lies Mexico, in the tradition, the music, the food, the people and, yes, the problems. Though even the latter is lined with smiles and hope.

While the Catholic church provides and organizes the staff (the Dominican Sisters of Maria), it does not ensure steady financial support. Nor does the government, as Casa Hogar, a member of Sociedad Civil, is a non-governmental organization. In fact, apart from their independent sales from a food stand in Atotonilco, it is completely dependent on outside sources for funding and volunteer aid. The director noted that while at Christmas-time there are always sufficient or surplus funds, this peters out during the rest of the year.

The nuns welcome volunteers and they are greatly appreciated by the girls. People have offered their services as handymen, teachers of English, computing and origami, and as friends or companions.

Those interested in volunteering or giving donations can visit Casa Hogar Don Bosco at Sollano 14, less than a minute’s walk from El Jardin, or call (01) 415 152 1195. Please note that after ringing the doorbell you may have to wait for a minute or two, but do not be dissuaded, one of the girls is on her way to let you into her world.

SPA summer fundraiser—(M)A sold out success
By Janielle Penner


What a turnout! The Sociedad Protectora de Animales held its annual summer fundraiser on Saturday, July 14, at Rancho Los Olivos. This year’s Howlin' and Meowin' Barn Bash raised much-needed funds for San Miguel’s only in-town animal shelter. Guests arrived around 4pm, ate, drank and enjoyed the festivities. The entertainment began with an authentic Vaquero who wowed the crowd with his impressive lasso tricks. There was a “Cow-Chip” toss where guests cheered on the competition. But the most popular event, hands down, was the “Purse Dog” race. Proud owners lined up their pooches, and when the race began the crowd went wild. The little dogs ran in just about every direction until a winner was declared. It was a highlight of the afternoon.

During dinner, guests were treated to the music of San Miguel's own Gil y Cartas. A raffle was held for some fantastic prizes including a luxury beach vacation, Pozos hotel stay, a hot-air balloon ride and dinners at local eateries Planta Baja, Pueblo Viejo, Hecho en Mexico and Food Factory.

The SPA’s new official motto, Hope, Health and Homes for Cats and Dogs In Need, was on display above a beautiful mural in the barn, which celebrated the spirit of the event. The SPA is grateful and proud of San Miguel residents and visitors for showing their support, and a special thank you goes out to all of the participants who helped bring this wonderful event together.

On a separate note, a few of the SPA board members recently attended the HSUS Animal Care Expo, the largest event of its kind in the world. This annual expo focuses on the fields of animal sheltering, care, control and rescue. The board members were thrilled to discover that compared to many shelters in the US, we are unique and far ahead of the game in many ways here in San Miguel. At the SPA, the animals are exercised and mentored daily, they receive excellent and immediate health care when needed and are routinely spayed or neutered upon arrival. It was surprising to learn that even these basics are not necessarily the norm for many US shelters. Kudos to the dedicated staff!

The SPA is looking forward to continued progress thanks to all who generously contribute to the cause in so many ways. To stay informed about the progress of the shelter and upcoming events, please visit the website, www.spasanmiguel.com.






Amigos sterilization blitz in San Martin

Amigos de Animales will be holding another of their highly successful blitz campaigns August 11 and 12 in Colonia San Martin, a small community located near the train station. Since 2002, Amigos de Animales has sterilized more than 5,600 dogs and cats in the greater San Miguel area. They plan to operate on 150 more, those from Colonia San Martin as well as neighboring communities.

Amigos is a San Miguel based non-profit dedicated to alleviating the suffering of companion animals by controlling their overpopulation. The only organization in town tackling this problem, they use education, sterilization and a partnership with Ecologia to humanely reduce the number of unwanted dogs.

Unbeknownst to many of us living in El Centro, outlying San Miguel communities are plagued by large and often deadly packs of wild dogs. These animals travel unchecked, preying on livestock and family pets, attacking young children and sometimes even killing grown men. Many of these animals are simply abandoned, turned out by their owners for lack of resources or lack of interest.

According to Don Patterson, head of Ecologia, “There is no way to confirm the numbers of dogs—(M)it may be thousands, it may be tens of thousands.”

Furthermore, the majority of these dogs are diseased, starving or injured; but they breed constantly nonetheless. Without the continuing efforts of Amigos de Animales and the cooperation of Ecologia, these animals would continue to suffer and to wreak destruction on the communities they encounter.

Thanks to the work of countless volunteers, the unpaid services of veterinarians and technicians from around Mexico and the generous support of people like you, Amigos de Animales is able to make a difference in these communities. In a blitz event like that to be held in Colonia San Martin next weekend, not only do we sterilize family pets but we also take the opportunity to educate their owners about the overall health and wellbeing of their beloved animals.

And thanks to the generous contribution of two caring individuals, we will also be able to provide free collars and leashes to all families with dogs—(M)many of whom have never had one before. Though they may love their dogs very much, a collar and leash are a luxury many of these people simply cannot afford, using wire, thick metal chains and frayed rope instead without knowing that such improvised restraints are often dangerous, and even deadly, as these DIY collars dig into the skin and can cause life-threatening infections or even asphyxiation.

The gracious and loving pet owners we meet at each blitz listened attentively, eager to learn all they can about how to better care for their animals. They are so thankful and appreciative but more importantly, these people now act as our ambassadors sharing their newfound knowledge and the benefits of their Amigos experience with friends and neighbors.

Each blitz costs Amigos approximately 50,000 pesos, including the cost of setting up the event, medical supplies and equipment and educational and support materials—(M)but the results are priceless. If you would like information on how to sponsor a blitz in your neighborhood or elsewhere or if you’d like to attend a tour of the San Martin blitz, please contact Lisa Wandler at 044-415-111-4723 or lisa@amigos-sma.org.





Vision for All screens 2,800 for diabetic eye disease
By Dr George Bresnick

Diabetes is a growing health problem in Mexico, as in all corners of the world. People with diabetes are at high risk for a number of serious health problems. Among the most devastating is diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease characterized by damage to the retina in the form of leakage and bleeding from retinal blood vessels. If the disease progresses undetected, until the person concerned actually perceives a loss of vision, restoration of vision may be impossible. If the disease is detected, monitored and treated in its early stages, sight can be preserved.

The Guanajuato State Health Ministry has made great strides in the detection and treatment of diabetes, but systematic, public health eye screening was not part of its program. Over the past four years, Vision for All, a nonprofit public health organization based in New York City and San Francisco, has worked with the Health Ministry to establish an eye-screening program. With too few ophthalmologists in the state of Guanajuato to physically examine all diabetic patients, telemedicine became the logical solution. Last year, Dr. George Bresnick, ophthalmologist and medical director of VFA, with the help of medical informatics specialist Dr. Jorge Cuadros of Berkeley, initiated a telemedicine program which utilizes a digital retinal camera to image the back of the eye. The camera, purchased by the State of Guanajuato, currently rotates among the cities of Guanajuato, San Felipe, Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende, where local medical doctors have been trained in its use. Quality control of image capture 
and analysis of images are performed by Vision for All and Dr. Cuadros using his internet website (eyepacs.org). Since this past August, almost 2,800 diabetic patients have been screened, with approximately 30 percent needing referral to local ophthalmologists.

The standard intervention in diabetic retinopathy is laser treatment to seal up the abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. If performed before the disease has advanced, this treatment can successfully preserve sight. Presently there is only one government laser available for these patients, staffed only part-time, in Silao. There is an enormous need for an additional laser in the State of Guanajuato to treat diabetic eye disease.

Vision for All and the Health Ministry have decided that San Miguel is the most appropriate location for this laser. VFA, with the support of the Health Ministry, local Lions Clubs and private donors are beginning a concerted effort to raise funds for the purchase of a laser, which will cost US$29,000. The amount is almost US$20,000 less than the retail price, thanks to the generosity of the manufacturer. A grant also has been awarded by the Pope-Andersen Foundation of US$5,000.

The laser will be located at the new public hospital in San Miguel. Volunteer retinal specialists from the US will help staff the laser facility and local ophthalmologists will be offered training in the use of the laser. Making this program self-sustaining and independent is VFA’s long-term goal.

Vision For All is starting a campaign in San Miguel to raise funds for the laser and asks for your generous help. Checks made out to Vision for All are tax deductible. For more information, contact Maggie Sperling at 152-1593, or leave checks at Border Crossings, Box 26A. Contact information for Vision for All: Executive Director Geraldine Hendriksen, Medical Director Dr. George Bresnick at visionforall@rcn.com.





CASA’s first 25 years of service
By Phil Hamerslough

Open house 25 years of CASA Sun, Aug 5, 11am CASA Hospital and  Santa Julia Community Center

Almost everyone in San Miguel knows something about CASA, but many would be surprised to know CASA is probably the biggest private employer in the city.

CASA not only sends some 50 professional peer counselors out into the countryside to teach family planning every day, but also employs some 75 teachers and health professionals, gardeners, cooks, drivers, lab technicians, midwives, psychologists, nurses, doctors and more.

It wasn’t always like this. In fact, for a long time, it was a one-woman show. In 1981, fresh out of Columbia University’s Schools of Social Work and Public Health, Nadine Goodman came to town. She was full of ideals and ideas and determined to practice in her field and make a difference.

By 1982, Nadine was working with high school students whom she trained as her first volunteers to go out into the countryside and talk about family planning. Some of these first volunteers were single teenage mothers.

The next year (1983) was a key year. It was the year I met Nadine, and it was the first year Nadine really began to work at fundraising. She became a pro. It started small, a thousand dollars each from local Sanmiguelenses Ginger Eades and Bernie Weisman, both now departed. Then came a small grant of $13,000 to work with high school students. In fact, that year Nadine and I ran a slide show at the Aldea Hotel showing Nadine out in the countryside working with mothers. We passed the hat and raised a whopping five dollars! But CASA was growing.

From ’83 to ’91, CASA and Nadine moved around a lot. All the houses were rentals, but she was running a very successful daycare center as well as a peer counselor program. In fact, it was the daycare center that was bait to get unwed mothers to join up as peer counselors, and who better to tell a family planning story?

By 1991, Nadine, along with a loyal staff and board of directors, had enlisted the aid of well known foundations such as MacArthur and Hewlett-Packard. These and other foundations, which principally provided seed money, stayed with CASA for almost ten years, impressed with CASA’s vision and ability to get the job done.

Also in the 1990s, local San Miguel support and a Houston foundation enabled CASA to own its first home on Umarán. The staff, board of directors and other volunteers were thrilled to have a secure base from which they could continue to work to meet the community’s needs.

The very next year CASA’s cofounder, Alejandro González, was busy designing and planning a full-scale maternity hospital at the request of local traditional midwives. The board quickly approved a perfect site in working-class Colonia San Rafael. And in a year and a half it was open, and everyone was impressed by the caring hospital staff, attractiveness of the private patient rooms and traditional colonial patios.


In 1996 another jewel was added to the CASA crown: it became Mexico’s first government-accredited midwifery school.

Today CASA’s midwifery school, early childhood development center, public library and multiple programs for adolescents, including radio and theater activities, are housed in Santa Julia, a five minute walk to the CASA hospital.

Obviously CASA is no longer a one-woman organization. Now it is a large employer of many dedicated Sanmiguelenses providing multiple services to 80,000 people each year throughout Mexico. Its innovative programs have been nationally and internationally evaluated and recognized. It is a source of pride to all of us at CASA that we help each other locally and simultaneously serve as a model for others.

To celebrate CASA’s first twenty-five years of service, the whole community is invited on August 5 to an open house that will begin at the CASA hospital at 11am and continue at the Santa Julia Community Center with music, other entertainment and an open microphone for personal testimonies from the community. I hope to see you there! Every taxi driver in San Miguel knows where the CASA hospital is located.