(Spanish guitar music) - [Anel] Mushrooms have a special place in my heart.
Like mushrooms, I grew up in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant and had to overcome many challenges and adverse conditions.
(soft, dramatic string music) Mushrooms were the way that my family provided for me to obtain an education and follow my dreams.
(soft, dramatic string music) My name's Anel Medina.
I am a Registered Nurse serving in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and I am a DACA recipient.
- (speaks Spanish) - (speaks Spanish) - (speaks Spanish) - I think when I take care of others as a nurse, I always think of them as my family and how I would want my family to be treated.
I can only dream that as much as I give to others that it'll be returned, and if all the blessings go to my mom, that's amazing.
I can only dream that she feels proud of me and that she finds comfort in knowing that she raised someone that has the potential of doing more and changing more lives.
(gentle piano music) - When I signed up for nursing.
I knew that I was going to have other people's lives in my hands, and I think this pandemic just made us realize how valuable our job is in the country as healthcare providers and being like the first line of defense and having that responsibility of not just that one patient, but of the community.
As a daughter of immigrants, it scares me to know that they might not have healthcare services or resources or knowing that they worked so hard to give to the community, Social Security, that they pay taxes, but then can't benefit from retirement.
So me as a nurse, if I can narrow that gap, provide education, provide any services that can encourage people to seek healthcare.
I think that that's my goal in life.
(melancholy guitar music)