Elizabeth Desimone lived a life dedicated to service, compassion, and the belief that every life has value. As a registered nurse, she worked in diverse and challenging settings, from the Army Nurse Corps during the Korean War to school nursing and jungle public health. Her work as a Maryknoll lay missionary in the remote jungles of Guatemala during the 1970s shaped her deeply, exposing her to both the hardships and the beauty of life in underserved communities. Elizabeth’s heart for helping others extended beyond her professional duties. She had a gift for seeing the person before the disability, the potential before the limitation.
In the early 1980s, after her mission work in Guatemala came to an end, Elizabeth made a decision that would change her life forever. She adopted Maria, a little girl from a Guatemala City orphanage, despite knowing the challenges her physical disabilities might bring. As a single mother, Elizabeth faced obstacles with grace and resilience, always pushing Maria to dream bigger and strive further than others thought possible. Her life’s story is one of selfless love, unwavering belief, and the quiet heroism found in everyday acts of care. Through Launching Maria, readers meet not only a remarkable daughter but also a mother whose courage continues to inspire.
I wrote Launching Maria to share a journey that transformed my life and challenged what I thought was possible. This book is a tribute to my daughter’s strength, our bond, and the belief that love can break barriers. It is my hope that our story inspires others to see potential where the world only sees limits.