Chila's baby is the first ocelot born in captivity here and reason for boasting. Ocelots are on the endangered species list; these small spotted cats are losing ground as their territory is given over to encroaching urban life.
Between caring for three children, running the family pulpería and selling car accessories at the flea market, this Supermom somehow finds time to study for a degree in criminology.
Like sea turtles that navigate across oceans to lay their eggs in the exact same spot where they were born, and in spite of not having been born in Costa Rica, I knew that I wanted to give birth surrounded by familiar faces, in my mother tongue and in the country that I called home.
Jeannette Gamboa accompanied her daughter, Catalina, who has Down syndrome, all the way to two medal wins at the recent Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. For Mother's Day, she says there's "no better gift" than her daughter.
Most of surveyed businesses —81 percent— complied with consumer protection laws requirements, representing an improvement over the previous year when MEIC's study found a compliance of 72 percent.
An all-in equal partnership like the one described here might be a reality for only a tiny fraction of families today, but shouldn't our holidays be a bit like the old saying, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have"? Shouldn't they reflect our aspirations as well as our realities? If we fully believe in the power of fatherhood, shouldn't our Father's Day reflect that?
On the surface, Madrigal seems a traditional Tica mother. However, her extraordinary drive and energy have also expanded her impact far beyond her own family, and she has become a spokeswoman for families with special needs.
