06/14/2026
Two instances this week when I had to step out of my interpreter role
1: NURSE: “You’re allergic to Lipitor.”
Also NURSE: “Here’s your atorvastatin.”
Me: “Excuse me… Lipitor IS atorvastatin.”
One of those rare times when an interpreter has to speak up because patient safety comes first, especially since the patient couldn’t advocate for himself due to a stroke
2. Then came my favorite moment of the week.
An occupational therapist and speech therapist spent almost an hour trying to wake an 80-year-old Filipina patient. Nothing worked.
The speech therapist asked me, “What kind of music would an 80-year-old Filipino want to hear?”
I immediately thought of my mom and said, “Try Kenny Rogers’ Through the Years.”
The music started.
The patient’s eyes opened.
Everyone in the room lit up.
As someone who interprets every day, I witness incredible things—but this moment gave me goosebumps.
Language connects people.
Culture connects people.
And sometimes, music reaches places words can’t.
🎵❤️
