Fidel

Racine, Wisconsin

Fidel Onofre Hernandez works in Amazon’s fulfillment center in Kenosha, Wisconsin. When his mother needed care, he asked for leave but was told he could have only unpaid time. He had to keep working to cover their living expenses. Fidel, who is hearing-impaired, said, “It [was painful] that I could not be there for my mom who has held my hand through all of my fears as a child who could not hear. I would drive home after working 10 hours, driving through construction traffic, and all I could think about is, ‘Is my mom OK? God, please take care of my mom.’ For five months we had to eat from food pantries. We should not have to worry about anything but focusing on our loved one’s recovery.”