My name is Aura Sucuc. After suffering a stroke in 2017 and my subsequent recovery, I understood the value of resilience. Life offered me new opportunities through a much deeper understanding of human existence and each person's purpose. It was in this way that, after the stroke, I started a business called KIKOT, which translated from Kaqchikel to Spanish means JOY, because this is how we should face life: with joy and bring joy to our loved ones.

Given my experience and the testimony I can now share about the stroke I suffered, I decided to create a group of people who, until 2019, had been excluded and unrecognized by society in San Juan Comalapa: deaf people. Therefore, I began my studies to become a sign language interpreter, thus promoting sign language and contributing to spaces for participation for the deaf community of San Juan Comalapa through the group "Señas de Corazón" (Signs of the Heart). This group implements actions that contribute to the education of children and young people and provide economic development opportunities for adults.

I thank God for the second chance at life and the resilience I have shown, contributing to the inclusion of deaf people and the promotion of sign language learning in the Chimaltenango department region.

Details of my story  Aura Sucuc:

·       Stroke and recovery:

In 2017, I suffered a stroke which, at the time, prevented me from working due to the severity of my illness. After the stroke, I required months of rehabilitation, but thankfully, the specialists determined that surgery was not necessary. After six months, I regained my mobility and ability to work.

·       Entrepreneurship and "Signs of the Heart":

Due to the stroke and my inability to perform my work duties as an educator, my family completed the necessary paperwork for leave in accordance with the laws and labor code. However, even with all the paperwork in order and the medical exams confirming the stroke, I was dismissed from my job two years later, in 2019. As an educator, I was dismissed from my position, according to the competent authorities, for being absent from work "while suffering from a stroke in 2017," which was unjust and illegal. However, after being given a second chance at life, I decided not to give up. Through a vision of strength and resilience, I started the KIKOT business in 2019, which, as its name in Kaqchikel means JOY—the joy we give to our loved ones through a gift. Also in that same year, I founded “Señas de Corazón” (Signs of the Heart), a social inclusion space for deaf people—children, youth, and adults—in San Juan Comalapa. We organized learning activities, skills development for deaf people, community development, and participation in community spaces because I firmly believe that deaf people should be included in our society, given equal opportunities like everyone else. Through Señas de Corazón, I also took the initiative to start the first sign language teaching program in video podcast format, making it the first municipality in Guatemala to offer such a program.  that works to be an inclusive municipality in Sign Language.

·       Empowerment and growth:

For me, empowering women has been fundamental and has influenced KIKOT, which currently has a physical store in San Juan Comalapa and online sales to other areas. It has been growing and positioning itself as the go-to business for personalized and specialized gifts for our loved ones.

Señas de Corazón has been of great help to the community, specifically to the deaf community, who now feel included. This has also influenced the hearing community, who have learned about the different actions undertaken with deaf people, giving Comalapa a positive image. and inclusive of the deaf community.

·       Inclusion and thanksgiving to God:

To express my gratitude, I produce weekly video podcasts about the importance of the inclusion of deaf people and the spaces for participation that they are entitled to, and the teaching of sign language, aimed at both hearing and deaf people at the community level on local and regional channels. 

·       Impact on the community:

KIKOT has been a key reference point in my resilience process. After being unjustly and illegally dismissed, I was able to acquire different skills in my second chance at life, such as sales and personalized decorations for gifts or parties. At the same time, it has been the main driving force behind my work with Señas de Corazón (Signs of the Heart). Through this work and a percentage of sales, relevant actions can be taken with deaf people, influencing their education with initiatives, participation, and opportunities to develop their skills, as well as fostering community development that allows them to live a dignified life.

From what I know, the stroke has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but also, and thankfully, I have no lasting effects. It has been a source of strength and a positive impact on the community through initiatives like Señas de Corazón (Signs of the Heart). This motivates me every day to continue working towards an inclusive municipality for deaf people and sign language.