Oral history interview with Wilson Guzmán González, March 13, 2022

Abstract

In this interview, Wilson Guzmán González reflects on his time taking care of his father, Jaime Guzmán Alvarado, who had cardiovascular dementia. He starts by talking about his childhood and the process of moving from New York to Puerto Rico, where he currently resides. Then Wilson talks about the situation that led to his father’s diagnosis and how it got progressively worse over the years. Taking care of Jaime during Hurricane María, the earthquakes, and Covid was especially hard since only his wife could help him. Later he transitions to his experience in the hospital with his father during the pandemic. He talks about the shortage of nurses during that time and how that led to him having to assist them. Ultimately, Wilson talks about getting Covid and its toll on his physical and mental health. He finishes by emphasizing the importance of taking the virus seriously.

En esta entrevista, Wilson Guzmán González reflexiona sobre el tiempo en que cuidaba a su padre, Jaime Guzmán Alvarado, quien padecía de demencia cardiovascular. Comienza hablando sobre su infancia y el proceso de mudarse de Nueva York a Puerto Rico, donde reside actualmente. Luego, Wilson habla sobre la situación que llevó al diagnóstico de su padre y cómo empeoró progresivamente a lo largo de los años. Cuidar de Jaime durante el huracán María, los terremotos y el Covid-19 fue particularmente difícil, ya que solo su esposa podía ayudarlo. Luego habla sobre su experiencia en el hospital con su padre durante la pandemia. Habla sobre la escasez de enfermeras durante ese tiempo y cómo eso llevó a que él tuviera que ayudarlas. En última instancia, Wilson habla sobre haber contraído Covid y cómo esto afectó su salud física y mental. Termina enfatizando la importancia de tomar el virus en serio.