Far from just being a challenge, an asylum seeker from El Salvador who sustained a spinal cord injury, now sees new opportunity in his life. He shares his story through words, music and through his visual art.
Spanish Written Format Transcript
English Written format Transcript
DIME: Lyrics in Spanish and an English translation is below:
DIME
Para que no caigan tus ánimos, levantando ánimos.
Dime porque estas triste, si la vida da mil vueltas. Puede que no sea hoy, pero mañana quizás puedas lograrlo.
La vida te pone situaciones difíciles, duras que rompen corazones. No hay nada tan malo para dejarte vencer. Levántate hermano, el sol brilla otra vez. Recuerda que contigo esta el que te dijo “no te dejare”. Toma su mano y aférrate a el con fe, para que todo vaya bien. ¡En mi vida también a sucedido cosas que ni que! Pero al final creo que lo he comprendido. Pruebas y pruebas, preocupaciones, aflicciones, y tribulaciones merodean los caminos que recorres. Se fuerte, mastica las frustraciones. Es tiempo de demostrar el valor que te das, de lo que eres capaz ante la adversidad. Mirada celestial te rodea, es la bendición de “Yah”. Nadie dijo que era fácil, pero lo vas a sanar. Confía en Dios, el te ayudara. La tormenta pasara y el dolor te dejara una gran felicidad. Solo tienes que confiar. Confianza, con fe, confía. Mirada celestial te rodea en cada bendición de “Yah”
Dime porque estas triste, si la vida da mil vueltas. Puede que no sea hoy, pero mañana quizás puedas lograrlo.
Son consejos para la vida, para que no caigan tus ánimos, para que levantes para que te goces, para que veas que un mañana siempre esta para ti. Bendiciones para ti, y para mi.
Tell Me
So your spirits don’t fall, keep lifting your spirits.
Tell me why you’re sad, when life takes a thousand turns. It may not be today, but perhaps tomorrow you’ll be able to achieve it.
Life puts you through difficult situations, hardships that break hearts. But nothing is so bad that you should let it defeat you. Get up, brother, the sun is shining again. Remember that the One who told you, “I will never leave you,” is with you. Take His hand and hold on to Him with faith, so that all may go well. In my life, things have happened too, things beyond belief! But in the end, I think I’ve come to understand. Tests and more tests, worries, afflictions, and tribulations roam the paths you walk. Be strong, chew through your frustrations. It is time to show the value you place in yourself and what you are capable of in the face of adversity. A heavenly gaze surrounds you; it is the blessing of “Yah” No one said it would be easy, but you will heal from it. Trust in God; He will help you. The storm will pass, and the pain will leave you with great happiness. You only have to trust. Trust, with faith, trust. A heavenly gaze surrounds you in every blessing of “Yah.”
Tell me why you’re sad, when life takes a thousand turns. It may not be today, but perhaps tomorrow you’ll be able to achieve it.
These are words of advice for life: so your spirits do not fall, so that you rise up, so that you rejoice, so that you can see that tomorrow is always there for you. Blessings for you, and for me.
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5
AUG
2026
AUG
2026
About the Author:
Yubi Terán is a case manager at the International Institute of Los Angeles. International Institute of Los Angeles provides refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking with the skills, abilities, and resources they need to become self-sufficient and thrive.